My reading of Judges 19 and 20 today filled me with a sense of sadness and fear. I initially started reading looking for the positive side of the story presented, looking for the judge that will come and deliver the people of Israel. I was filled with sadness when I read about the action and inaction of the sons of Israel and seeing how far they strayed from the desires of God. I was also filled with fear because I realize how much I am like the Israelites because our common inherent sinful nature. What was lacking that made the Israelites wander so far astray from God? Do I display their same faults that are leading me down a path of destruction and chaos just like the Israelites? Continue Reading…
Tag Archive - Genesis
Leave lethargy by loving God and loving people: Judges 19 and 20
Does God test us, stand firm in faith: Deuteronomy 13 and 14
My reading today in Deuteronomy chapters 13 and 14 has left me asking a question: Does God test us? In Deuteronomy 13:3 it states that, “you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord you God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” The scripture says that God is testing the Israelites when there is a false prophet luring them away. This was something that I guess thought didn’t happen. I don’t know why I thought that because I honestly don’t have any reason to assume anything about God. Continue Reading…
A promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: Genesis Summary
Genesis is all about beginnings for the people God chose. You with God who created everything including Adam and Eve. God’s promise to create a great nation is woven through out the story. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all share in God’s blessing as their families grow and multiply. I think that I was most intrigued with the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac. I feel the weight of what God has done by sending Jesus to die for me when I look at Abraham and Isaac. I should have died a sinners death but God stayed the blade meant for me and plunged it into Jesus. I am so unworthy on my own but I can stand secure in God’s grace because of Christ.
Perspective on preservation in Genesis 49 and 50
I think it is amazing how complex the stories of the Bible seem from my limited human perspective. God preserved Jacob’s family yet they find themselves in slavery. I think many times how God works is so completely contrary to our way of doing things. As Joseph said that God allowed what happened so that many may be preserved. I think it is interesting how if the story were to end at the end of Genesis that it would be such a sad story but Exodus is coming.
God’s sovereignty in the moments of wonder: Genesis 47 and 48
I wonder why God works the way he does sometimes. I think about why God brought the people of Israel into Egypt to become slaves. I know that the famine that was ordained by God but it makes me wonder why. I think the fact the God is sovereign can answer the question as well as knowing that God is glorified through what he does. I know I sometimes wonder why I have had all the troubles in my life. I think my knowledge that God is in control of everything can help me know that no matter what happens to me it will be alright. I think of Job and what he went through and I wonder if there are reasons similar to his that cause events of today.
Joseph’s perseverance while trusting God: Genesis 45 and 46
The story of Joseph is such an encouragement to me. I look at how he saw God’s will and desire at the heart of what happened. It makes me happy to see how God used him in the toughest moments of his life to preserve his family. I think of all that I have gone through in my life and I wonder what of that is God using. I feel like such an insignificant factor in everything. I think the biggest example Joseph can be to me is how I act in every situation and place I find myself in. Continue Reading…
A brothers unwavering love expressed in Genesis 43 and 44
I wonder how Joseph felt then he kept placing the money back in the bags. Did he find it funny? Was it playful? To think that his brothers were before him with out their knowing must have been painful. To want to embrace them but not being able to. It is amazing how the dreams Joseph had before he was sold are now coming true. God was working for the best.
The regrets of the past nullified by God’s future: Genesis 41 and 42
How dark our thoughts can be because our past. I many times think just as the 10 brothers of Jacob in the midst of the chaos of life. I look back to something that I have done in the past and I am ridden with fear and regret. I cannot believe that God could be doing things for my good. That is the situation that the brothers found themselves. They think that they are being punished for their treatment of Joseph all those years ago. What despair they must have felt. Little do they know that they are apart of a greater story of God’s deliverance. How great the love God bestowed on them while they were still in the despair and darkness of their actions. Continue Reading…
Running from sin and resisting temptation in Genesis 39 and 40
I love how God’s blessings flowed because of Joseph. The attitude of Joseph is a great example to me about how to view life, work, trials, and hardship because he always sought to honor God in all he did. Can I say that I honor God in all that I do? I honestly say I can’t but I sure desire to. Joseph gives a good example of how to deal with sin and temptation. You can resist it only so long and then you need to make a choice to stay or run. Continue Reading…
God’s blessing found in difficulty: Genesis 37 and 38
It is a wonderful blessing that the dismal ending of the story of Joseph doesn’t end after chapter 37. I think many times while we are in the midst of a difficult situation we sometimes forget to keep reading to see what happens. God is so very faithful to us. He knew exactly what was happening and it was for the good of Jacob’s entire family. I know I can lack that trust at times to know that God is sufficient and able to do anything. Continue Reading…
