Highlights In Today's Reading:
Be sure to grasp the incredible Truth found here in the mighty Abrahamic Covenant (one of the greatest honors God ever gives). Abrahamic Covenant confirmed to Jacob; vision of Jacob's ladder; journey to Haran; Jacob's marriages to Leah and to Rachel.
Verses for Today:
And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. . . . And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. . . . And, behold, I am with thee . . . for I will not leave thee (Gen. 28:10,12-13,15).When Isaac realized that God had overruled his scheme to confer the God-ordained birthright of Jacob upon Esau, he trembled very exceedingly (27:33). He quickly conferred with Rebekah — not to accuse her of any wrongdoing but to decide how best to plan for Jacob's future. If Jacob were to marry an idol-worshiping woman, as Esau had done, Rebekah's concern was: What good shall my life do me? (27:46). Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him . . . Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. . . . Go to Padan-aram . . . take . . . a wife from . . . the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother. And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people (28:1-3). This blessing showed how wrong Isaac had been in trying to defraud Jacob.
Isaac lived 43 years after going against the plan of God, but there is no record of his being used of God again. Yet, for Jacob, his remarkable blessings began on his first night away from home. Without map or companion, but according to the exact plan of God, Jacob left home on his journey of more than 500 miles and arrived safely in Padan-aram. God marvelously guided him to Rachel and the home of his mother's father; and (to) take . . . a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother. And God Almighty bless thee. Jacob received a warm welcome when he arrived at their home.
Just as it is with everyone who lives to please the Lord, Jacob's life was set apart for God's purpose. When Christians realize this truth, their attitude toward their marriage partner, workplace, physical limitations, and hardships will be seen later as necessary to prepare them in fulfilling the will of God.
Thought for Today:
All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).
Christ Portrayed:
By Joseph who was born (Gen. 30:23-24) to save and preserve his people (50:20). Jesus was born to offer eternal life to all mankind (41:56-57).
Word Studies:
28:1 charged =commanded; 28:11 lighted upon =came to; 28:15 keep thee =watch over you with care; 28:17 How dreadful is this place =what an awesome, wonderful, holy place; 28:18 poured oil upon =anointed; 28:19 Bethel =house of God; 29:3 mouth =opening; 29:7 high =early in the; 29:12 brother =relative; 29:17 tender eyed =unattractive; 29:25 beguiled =deceived; 29:26 It must not be so done =it is not customary; 29:31 hated =unloved; opened her womb =enabled her to have children; 30:18 hire =reward; 30:23 reproach =humiliation, disgrace; 30:28 appoint =name; 30:36 journey betwixt =distance between; 30:37 pilled =eeled.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Rick Hash • Government Officials: Rep. Roy Blunt (MO), Rep. Leonard Boswell (IA), Rep. Lois Capps (CA), Sen. Mark Pryor (AR), Rep. Bill Shuster (PA), Rep. Christopher Van Hollen, Jr. (MD), and Rep. Greg Walden (OR) • Country: South Africa (42.6 million) on the southern tip of the African continent • Major languages: Afrikaans and English • Religious freedom • 76% Christian; 1% Muslim; 1% Hindu; 15% Traditional; .5% Jewish; 6.5% None/Other (Baha'i, Jain, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Confucian) • Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your heart to God in prayer (Lam. 3:41).
Optional Reading: Matthew 10
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 23:4