Posts that reference the book of Genesis

Successful Slave

By Paula

Genesis 39:2 says, "The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man."

Successful?

Joseph was a slave.

Not my definition of success.

But v.5 says "[T]he Lord blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph."

The question is…

Whose slave was Joseph?

Potiphar's?

Or Jehovah's?

Study Tip: But

By Paula

In our continuing look at signpost words, today we'll at the u-turn word- 'but'.

You'll find 'but' is used-

To indicate a better choice (not this, but that)

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalms 1:1-2)

To contrast two different ideas or people or events

Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. (Genesis 25:27-28)

The Proverbs are full of contrasts using 'but' to connect them.

To denote a complete, radical about-face

(My Sunday school boys call this 'the big but'.) This is my favorite one:

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1-7)

It shows very plainly who we were, what we were and where we were headed BUT GOD changed ALL of that.

So as you study, when you come across a 'but' stop a moment and notice what is being contrasted. What can you learn from it?

Do you have a favorite 'big but'?

Preparing for Bethel

By Paula

Last week, we looked at the steps Jacob took to help revive his faith and his relationship with God. Before leaving for Bethel, Jacob made some key preparations. In Genesis 35:2, he says, "Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments."

1. Put away the foreign gods. After chapter 34, Jacob had a number of foreign slaves to care for, and naturally they brought their gods and their religious practices with them. Jacob ordered an immediate end to that. In our day, we think it's foolish to worship little statues and we're far too sophisticated for that. But… we do have our attention drawn away from God. We do pour our energy into other pursuits.

2. Purify yourselves. This is as simple as confessing sins so God can cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3. Change clothes. In the New Testament, Paul talks about exchanging our righteousness for the righteousness of Christ, depicting it like a change of clothes. Later, in Revelation, white garments represent the righteous acts. Changing clothes signifies changing our behavior. The confession in point 2 is meaningless if change doesn't happen. I tell my kids, "I'm sorry means you understand that what you did was wrong and you're ready to change."

How do you prepare to enter God's presence for worship and renewal?

As God Sees Us

By Paula

In Genesis 33, Jacob spends the night wrestling with a man, whom we later learn is God Himself. As dawn is breaking, Jacob says, "I will not let you go until you bless me."

Jacob was preparing to meet his brother, and face the biggest failures, the most glaring moral lapses in his life. Fear, shame, and doubt plagued his mind. Have you been there? I have. I've wrestled through my own long nights, emotionally and spiritually.

When Jacob asked for blessing God responded, "What is your name?" At first glance, this looks like a dumb question, or a senseless one at the very least. Here's what He's saying, though. 'Before I bless you, own who you are. Own your past and your failures. Don't be shamed by them, but claim them.'

And Jacob does. "I am Jacob. The Usurper."

You can almost see God smile, as He redeems that.

"Not the Usurper. In My eyes, you are Israel, the Overcomer. You have met every challenge you have faced. You have survived. You have overcome."

There's the blessing. Seeing ourselves the way God sees us.

Unworthy

By Paula

In Genesis 32:10, Jacob prays, "I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown…"

Unworthy. I am unworthy. And not the fake kind that prompts others to disagree and assure me of my worthiness.

The dictionary uses words like "lacking in value, base, undeserving, dishonorable, inappropriate to one's condition or station." Nobody wants to think of themselves like that. We spend years in therapy trying to dispel that idea. But it's true.

The more I grasp that, the greater God's grace and God's love become.

"I have loved you with an everlasting love," God says in Jeremiah 31:3

Everlasting. No beginning. No end. I am unworthy.

Happy Valentine's Day

Blessed Because of You

By Paula

In Genesis 30:27, Laban says to Jacob, "The Lord has blessed me because of you."

I know people like that. People I work with, worship with. People I'm privileged to call my friends. They live their lives before God in such a way that the blessings spill over onto everyone else they come in contact with.

Lord, thank You for bringing those people into my life.

Help me live a life You can bless that way.

Who blesses you?