Reading between the lines

Today's Readings: Genesis 25:27-28:5

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn." Genesis 25:34

"When the men who lived there asked Isaac about his wife, Rebekah, he said, 'She is my sister.' He was afraid to say, 'She is my wife.'" Genesis 26:7

"From there Isaac moved to Beersheba, where the Lord appeared to him on the night of his arrival. 'I am the God of your father, Abraham,' he said. 'Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you.'" Genesis 26:23

"We can plainly see that the Lord is with you." Genesis 26:28a

"At the age of forty, Esau married two Hittite wives; Judith, the daughter of Beeri, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon. But Esau's wives made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah." Genesis 26:34

After recording these verses that I had underlined while reading, I was comforted to see similarities in their life struggles, the ups and downs of life, and those we endure today.

• They showed contempt towards by not being open to receive a blessed from God
• They lied and did not trust the Lord to protect them
• God told them to not be afraid - he was with them and would bless them
• Others could tell that the Lord's presence was with them
• They still had misery in their lives

I love when God shows me a new nugget from his Word.  Whenever I have read this passage before, I just read the story.  It is almost as if I have been able to read between the lines this time.  I love how he sneaks in those secret lines.

A hostile world

Today's Readings: Genesis 25:1-26, 1 Chronicles 1:34

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"Ishmael lives for 137 years. Then he breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death. Ishmael's descendants occupied the region from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt in the direction of Asshur. There they lived in open hostility toward all their relatives." Genesis 25:17-18

Today's reading was shorter than most, and I underlined very little. It began after Sarah's death and told of Abraham marrying again and having many more sons. But little is said of those sons after Abraham gave all to his son, Isaac, and then sent them off to 'a land in the east, away from Isaac'. What is said is about Ishmael, the son of Sarah's servant. His descendants 'lived in open hostility toward all their relatives'. All I could say is Why. Why more pain for Ishmael? First he was sent away from his father...to a sure death in the wilderness until God stepped in. He survived, and even thrived, fathering twelve sons. But, even in the end, at his death, more pain was to come -- this time a hostile life for his descendants.

God can be in our lives, being 'with' us, and we can still have pain. But, he will help us through that pain.

Fear God

Today's Readings: Genesis 11:32, 21:8, 22-24

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"'Don't lay a hand on the boy!' the angel said. 'Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.'" Genesis 22:12

"And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed -- all because you have obeyed me." Genesis 22:18

"Abraham again bowed low before the citizens of the land, and he replied to Ephron as everyone listened. 'No, listen to me. I will buy it from you. Let me pay the full price for the field so I can bury my dead there.' Ephron answered Abraham, 'My lord, please listen to me. The land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between friends? Go ahead and bury your dead.' So Abraham agreed to Ephron's price and paid the amount he had suggested -- 400 pieces of silver, weighed according to the market standard. The Hittite elders witnessed the transaction." Genesis 23:12-16


As I read that first verse above (vs.12), I could not help but be reminded how much Abraham was like the Lord himself by being willing to sacrifice his only son.  But, at the last moment, God allowed this only son to live, knowing that the father was truly obedient.  I can only ask myself if I, like Abraham, would "fear God."

After I read the last reference in Genesis 23, I was a little confused.  Why would Abraham not accept the gift from Ephron? Why would he not allow Ephron to be blessed by giving him the cave?  Doesn't the bible teach us to give to others (so, it would be right for Ephron to give)? Then, it popped in my head that Abraham was not needy -- he had wealth and was able to buy his own cave.  We should concentrate on helping the needy, not those that can help themselves.

Unrighteous laughter

Today's Readings: Genesis 18-21:7

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"Then the Lord said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, Can an old woman like me have a baby? Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.' Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, 'I didn't laugh,' But the Lord said, 'No, you did laugh.'" Genesis 18:13-17

"The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham." Genesis 18:22

Sarah laughed, then Sarah lied to try to hide from the Lord. Laughing in itself is not wrong, but Sarah was laughing because she did not believe that she could have a child at her age, even with the help of the Lord. The Lord's response to her reminds me of that line from the film "Facing the Giants" and Luke 1:37 - "Nothing is impossible with God". [Coincidentally, the passage from Luke was in response to Elizabeth becoming pregnant in her old age.] God's power has no limits, but I believe his choice to use his power correlates with our faith that he will use that power. Sarah was fortunate -- the Lord did not require that she had faith that he would cause her to give birth after so many years, even after she lied to him. God is good.

A Kick in the Pants

Today's Readings: Genesis 15-17

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.'" Genesis 15:1

"And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith." Genesis 15:6

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am El-Shaddai -- 'God Almighty.' Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants." Genesis 17: 1-2

First reading earlier in the week about Noah being a "righteous man...he walked in close fellowship with God" and now reading about Abram who was counted by the Lord as "righteous because of his faith" has given me more of that desire to be called the same. I want the Lord to consider me righteous, but I am reminded by these men who lived so long ago that you are not just born righteous, you have to do something -- believe and live faithfully. If we just do that, then we are also promised great rewards. This is the kick in the pants I needed this week. Thank you, Lord, for the reminder.

Faith + Obedience = Blessings

Today's Readings: Genesis 11-14, 1 Chronicles 1:24-27

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"The Lord had said to Abram, 'Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.' So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran." Genesis 12:1-4

In reading this again, I am hit much harder with what this verse really meant to Abram (Abraham). How would you feel if God told you to pack up all your relatives and all your belongings and leave the only home you know? Oh, and you are seventy-five years old. Yes, you could argue that seventy-five in Abram's time was not like seventy-five today. Yes, you could argue that times are just different now. But, the fact still remains that it was a lesson in obedience. It probably was helpful that Abram had such a relationship with God to receive his promises of blessings. But, it still gets down to faith and obedience.

Life chain

Today's Readings: Genesis 7-10, 1 Chronicles 1:8-23

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"Noah was 600 years old when the flood covered the earth. He went on board the boat to escape the flood -- he and his wife and his sons and their wives. With them were all the various kinds of animals -- those approved for eating and for sacrifice and those that were not -- along with all the birds and the small animals that scurry along the ground." Genesis 7:6-8

"All the animals of the earth, all the birds of the sky, all the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the fish in the sea will look on you with fear and terror. I have placed them in your power. I have given them to you for food, just as I have given you grain and vegetables." Genesis 9:2-3

"Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. When i see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth." Genesis 9:15b-16

A few days ago I questioned that there was no mention to eating meat, just the plant-based foods. Today I got my answer, at least in part (there are limitations as to the types of animals that were approved for eating). But, I think it all boils down (no pun intended) to God's word specifically saying that man has dominion over animals and that they were put here on earth for our use. I don't think this should be looked at as a vegetarian vs. carnivore discussion, but as a reminder of where animals fit in the 'life' chain. The life of human beings should always come before the life of animals. Always.

He deserves the very best

Today's Readings: Genesis 4-6, 1 Chronicles 1:1-4

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift -- the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected." Genesis 4:2b-5

"The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart...But Noah found favor with the Lord. This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God." Genesis 6:5-9

"Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm my covenant with you." Genesis 6:17-18a

"So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him." Genesis 6:22

The first verse above really reminded me that we are to give our best to God, not just some of our stuff. God was pleased with the best that Abel brought, not with the gift given just for the sake of giving.

When I read through this beginning of Noah's story, it really hit me how alone Noah must have felt. He was the only righteous person on the entire earth. But then I was quickly reminded by the following verses that he walked in close fellowship with God. Wow. Having one friend in God is better than a million earthly friends. He was a blessed man. And Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded -- true obedience that comes with that close fellowship.

My response to God: Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and friendship. Help me to never stray and to walk like Noah walked -- in close fellowship with you. Also, Lord, please forgive me for the times that I did not give you my best -- and give me the strength to always remember that you deserve the very best.

Eat the fruit -- no, don't eat the fruit

Today's Readings: Genesis 1-3

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"Then God said, 'Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground -- everything that has life.' And that is what happened." Genesis 1:29-30

"'Who told you that you were naked?' the Lord God asked. 'Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?' The man replied, 'It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.' Then the Lord God asked the woman, 'What have you done?' 'The serpent deceived me,' she replied. 'That's why I ate it.'" Genesis 3:11-13

"And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation." Genesis 2:3

"And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife." Genesis 3:21

I love the dichotomy of these first two sets of scriptures. First I noticed how God gave the seed-bearing plants and the fruits trees to Adam for his food, while giving the green plants for the animals (no mention of eating the animals?). But, then God limited the fruit trees that Adam could eat from. I have always thought that this was just a test of his obedience, but now I see more. It was also to protect Adam from knowing too much -- knowing both good and evil. He wanted them to live that perfect life without evil. But, they chose not to be obedient and lost that wonderful opportunity. However, even though they disobeyed him, and were ejected from Eden, God still cared and provided for them -- it was God who made their clothing for them! I believe it is the same for us today. God wants us to obey him. He tells us (through his word and through his prophets of today) how he wants us to live our lives in a pure, unadulterated manner. We have become so much like Adam and Eve: (1) we are disobedient, and (2) we blame others for our actions (Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent).

My response to God: Dear Lord, even though I am so much like Adam and Eve, I ask you to help me learn from my mistakes. Lead me to closer obedience to you. I also thank you for protecting me and watching over me just like you did your very first earthly children.