The Notes are Good

BSF Genesis: Week 22, Day 4

Questions:

10.
He took Jacob away from Rebekah to the land of her kin, where he lived and worked for 14 years. Jacob lived in fear of returning because of the anger of his brother. He toiled as a servant to earn his wives, even though his father had ample resources to provide sufficient means (as had been the case with Rebekah).

11.
make you fruitful and increase your numbers, community of peoples, give you and descendants the blessing given to Abraham to take possession of the promised land

My Daily Journal:

This may come up in the next couple of weeks’ lessons, but one of the things that struck me was that Jacob left with the blessing and little or nothing else. He was sent back to Rebekah’s family to secure a wife. But unlike the servant that was sent for Isaac, he didn’t go with 10 camels carrying jewelry and riches to bestow on the family or his future bride.

This struck me because it is one of the very difficult parts, in my opinion, of being a good parent. You want to protect and provide for your children, but to mature in their faith it has to be “their faith” not the faith of their parents. Mom and dad had plenty of resources they could have sent with Jacob. Isaac had inherited all the wealth of Abraham in addition to the prosperity God had given him (100 fold yields on crops). But, there came a time for Jacob to leave the tents he had been so content to hang around and he was sent on his way. Evidently, he didn’t even get to take a pillow with him on his travels.

I don’t think this is throwing him into a sink or swim situation. He wasn’t disowned or exiled. But to become the nation he was to become he needed the challenge of making it on his own (with God’s help alone).

BSF Genesis: Week 22, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

6.
a.
heaven’s dew, earth’s richness, abundance of grain and new wine, nations serve you, peoples bow down to you, lord over your brothers, sons of mother bow down to you, those who curse you be cursed, those who bless you be blessed

b.
Nations will serve you, 12:3 bless those who bless you, whoever curses you be cursed

7.
a.
regret is to feel loss or disappointment for an action or event. repent is to accept responsibility and choose to make a change to do differently in the future.

b.
Esau regretted the series of events and cried out. Isaac recognized something as wrong and set about making things right. He did not withdraw his blessing from Jacob, but instead set him on a straight path.

8.
a.
Esau regretted the series of events and cried out. Isaac recognized something as wrong and set about making things right. He did not withdraw his blessing from Jacob, but instead set him on a straight path.

b.
To benefit from God’s blessing requires a willingness to honor that blessing. People want the outcome of blessings, but do not want to bend a knee to the only one in control of providing such.

c.
He did seek to please his father. He demonstrated respect to him and accepted his word as law.

d.
trending in the correct direction. Plenty of potholes and detours along the way, but I think others see and hear my testimony to the Lord.

9.
They stood against Israel during the Exodus, but fell to David and his armies. During that time every living adult male of Edom was killed, but even at the time of cross and Edomite sentenced Jesus to the cross.

My Daily Journal:

One of the things that caught my eye today was the start of the blessing from Isaac bestowed upon Jacob: “May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness.” Why dew? Not rain, not water, but dew? This thought encouraged me to search for other dew references in the bible (don’t you love online bible references?) Evidently there are 35 times it appears and it is an interesting progression.

This reference in Genesis is the first appearance of the word in the bible. The next time we see it is during the exodus, each day the dew was followed by the presence of manna on the ground which fed the Isrealites (Jacob’s family) for 40 years. Next appearance is in the blessing Moses gave to the tribe of Joseph before Moses’ death. Next God uses dew on fleece in making a covenant with Gideon in Judges. David references the lack of dew when lamenting the death of God’s first appointed King Saul and his son Jonathan. There are references in Psalm and Proverbs equating dew with the abundant provision from heaven. The dew of heaven is a central feature in the dream of Nebuchadnezzar interpreted by Daniel. The last times the word is used in the bible are in the books of the prophets. Micah 5 prophecies the “promised ruler from Bethlehem” and ties the dew from the Lord directly to “the remnant of the house of Jacob”. Then the final time the word appears in the bible is in Zechariah 8:12 – “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.”

I love the way God plants these stepping stones for us to follow leading to the redemptive birth of His son, Jesus. A simple word, like dew, something that can be counted on and expected as a daily occurrence, is woven in and through stories starting with a promised inheritance to Jacob and then being brought full circle to the remnant of that house and the promised ruler from Bethlehem who is the vine that yields everlasting fruit.

BSF Genesis: Week 22, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

3.
Isaac wished to bless him as his primary heir. God knew that was not his destiny and saw his heart as being godless.

4.
a.
Jacob took advantage of Esaus’ hunger in trading for his birthright. Isaac sought to give his blessing to Esau in secret. Rebekah conspired with Jacob to deceive his father into giving him the blessing.

b.
Talk together. Pray together. Worship together. Be honest examples of Christ to one another.

5.
a.
Rebekah sought to ensure the fulfillment of the prophecy that God had given her in regard to Jacob and Esau. Isaac sought to reward his first born son whom he loved.

b.
It is not proper to use deception, even if it yields the correct results. The end does not justify the means.

c.
End justifying means is a very common approach today. Doing things for the “good of others” seems to trump doing God’s work. We guilt people into giving or attending church or bible study, tying them down instead of building them up.

My Daily Journal:

Thinking of our “Christian Family” brought a new train of thought to the stories of Isaac, Rebekah and their children. It is convicting how much we still use similar tactics in our churches. While church leaders (pastors, elders, councils, etc.) may not show favoritism to those with hairy arms, favoritism is still an ongoing temptation. Instead of the ones who can provide wild game meat, it may be those who provide the big checks or who have always served in a certain way or the family that makes that really yummy jello with fruit floating in it (can you tell I grew up on Lutheran pot-lucks?).

Also, if we don’t outright deceive each other, what other ways do we try to manipulate others in the church, our christian family? Guilt and gossip are more powerful and harmful tools exercised for “good reasons” in our churches.

It is difficult but important for us to remind ourselves and each other that we don’t need to do any of these things. God did not put his church into our hands so we could improve the income statement at the expense of relationships. Instead we are to focus only on the relationships and trust Him. Zig Ziglar wrote there are 5 reasons people don’t buy from you: no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, and no trust. I am not suggesting we are called to sell church or bible study to others. But when it comes to missions work and bringing others to a deeper faith, there is really only one of these 5 things that you and I can control: trust. When the Spirit of God has created the desire, the need, the urgency and timing and aligned the resources of heaven and earth to bring someone to consider accepting Christ as their savior, I know I don’t want to be the barrier because they don’t trust me.

BSF Genesis: Week 21, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

11.
a.
Obeyed his father and mother

b.
swore oath to God, Built altar to become God’s house, tithed

c.
served 7 years for Rachel but seemed like only a few days because of his love for her

d.
God was with him, blessed him, protected him, took from those who cheated

e.
Prayed, trusted in God for protection and salvation

12.
a.
Faith – God rewards those who earnestly seek him

b.
Patriarch – the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Inheritence not only of father, but of God, chosen to be his own, a trasured possession

13.
What good is it to me, married pagan wives (to the grief of his parents) Polygamist, married a granddaughter of Ishmael because she wasn’t Canaanite.

My Daily Journal:

First, to clear something up (or not). My view on Esau’s marriage to the grand daughter of Ishmael is evidently different than many of the others in my discussion group based on answers. I saw it as just another knee-jerk response rather than a slap in the face to his parents. He learned they didn’t like Canaanite wives, so he was bent on marrying the first available non-Canaanite woman he could find. Who else was around but the descendents of Ishmael?

Second, and this is a special prayer request, this whole thing about spiritual inheritance is a very important message particularly for the kids in my group. I’m blessed to work with middle-school kids this year. The idea that their actions speak for more than just themselves is a very, very important concept and one, frankly, they don’t get. When God says, I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, this tells me that Jacob’s behavior, the way he is viewed by others, is not simply a reflection on him, but it is a reflection on his father, his grandfather and his God.

Is any less true for us? When we mis-behave or act inappropriately, what message does that send about my father, grandfather and God? When I look at my actions and decisions and behavior in that light, does it change the way I act.

In preparing for my lecture I made the statement “the choices we make reveal the person that we are. If we wish to be someone else, the path is simple… make different choices.” This isn’t meant to say that we need to rely on our own strength and judgment, but sometimes we make things out to be far bigger than they are. God has the strength to support us on any right path… but the choice is ours.

Am I looking at my immediate wants and desires, or am I looking at how my decisions reflect the character of my father, grandfather and God? I might have made a few better decisions in my life had I kept this in mind earlier!

Again, if you are reading this, I would ask your prayers for the delivery of this message to the middle school children, particularly the young men. I ask that their hearts be open to feeling the burden of this, not in a negative way, but in an empowering way. They have been gifted with a family name and a God who deserves their best behavior and their best decisions!

BSF Genesis: Week 21, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

8.
a.
Jacob was around the other people of the household, saw the benefits of being in charge (not off alone hunting)

b.
He was not so impulsive and looked at longer term impacts. This showed in many choices (including wife and children)

c.
He would have known from his mother that “the older will serve the younger” but rather than wait and let God bring this to pass he took it upon himself to buy the birthright from his brother

9.
a.
When we don’t treat it with the respect, value and reverence it deserves, we show that we do not value it, just as Esau. To not give it its full is the same as despising it.

b.
I need to do better at placing my faith first. I pray and read/listen to scriptures but I don’t always do it as the first part of my day.

10.
the adoption to sonship; the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised

My Daily Journal

The verse and discussion about despising the birthright brought to mind the words to the church in Rev 3:16, “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” It reminds me in manners of faith I am either all in or not in at all. It is not possible to be partially pregnant, partially dead or partially devoted to God.

Esau did not value his birthright so the bible says he “despised it.” I’m not sure he knew he was despising it, but to have something of extreme value and not treat it with the respect and reverence it deserves is to despise the object.

What does this say about my walk of faith. I know God doesn’t expect perfection, just improvement, but am I treating my walk with God with the care I would take for a great possession. Do I protect it or put it at risk by yielding to temptation? Do I cherish and show it to others as a prized possession, or do I put it out back to deal with later? If I think of my adoption into God’s family as a highly valued faberge egg, or rookie card, or, (choose your collectible)…. am I treating it with the same care and honor and value that I would place on these collections of atoms?

BSF Genesis: Week 21, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

5.
a.
Isaac had a taste for wild game and Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the open country

b.
I don’t think God discourages a father’s love for a son. He probably would have preferred he loved both sons and wished the same for Rebekah.

c.
Discuss, pray and change

d.
Discuss, pray and change

6.
To be in charge of the household and resulting nation, a double share of inheritance, ultimately, the human ancestry of the Messiah

7.
a.
No

b.
No

c.
To be in charge of the household and resulting nation, a double share of inheritance, ultimately, the human ancestry of the Messiah

d.
God upheld the choice he made and kept him from receiving the benefits of the birthright. He did not look favorably on Esau or the sin that his descendents demonstrated.

My Daily Journal:

My wife pointed out how silly it was that Esau was fixated on Jacob’s soup in relationship to what other meals would have been available to him. Think of it this way. Assuming the brothers were at least 15 years old, their grandfather would have now died, leaving EVERYTHING, to their father. We know Abraham had vast wealth and servants. He had 318 fighting men in his household years earlier and had continued to prosper since. Isaac had inherited all of his possessions (not withstanding some gifts to other children). That would have put Isaac’s wealth on par with any king of the day, making Esau and Jacob the equivalent of Princes. Esau, as the oldest and holder of the birthright would have received a 2/3rds share of everything belonging to his father. That meant that any tent he approached and requested food would have recognized him and whose family he was, not to mention they would have had a 2/3rd probability of working for him in the future. Do you think they might have given him something more than bean soup to eat???

Secondly, I was convicted by the fact that God uphead the boneheaded choice that Esau made, despite how insulting it was to the Lord. This should make any of us think twice about any decisions and commitments we make to others. One of the childrens’ leaders, a few weeks ago, discussed the idea of SHALT (as in SHALT Not). It is unwise to make a decision when you are Sad, Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. Anytime we are faced with making a decision or commitment it is wise for us to self-assess if we fall under any of the SHALT temptations and delay the decision. Whatever you bind together will be bound and whatever you loose will be loosed. These are very important words to remember with lasting consequences!

BSF Genesis: Week 21, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

3.
a.
20 years

b.
Yes

c.
Waiting on God’s timing for children. May have been a test to see if they would take matters into their own hands (e.g., Hagar)

d.
Wait on the Lord, trust in Him, pray for each other.

4.
Two nations: Twins will both form their own nations (Israelites and Edomites); and two peoples separated: they will form separate nationalities (Israel in promised land, Edomites at Mount Seir); one people stronger: strength of character and faith of one nation will be stronger than other (Obadiah 18 – House of Jacob=fire, Esau=Stubble; older serve ounger: The descendents of Esau serve Jacob. 1 Kings 11:15-16 King David, Joab smitten every male in Edom.

My Daily Journal:

Was it a problem that Isaac and Rebekah didn’t have children for 20 years? Many years ago I read an interesting article talking about our biases and thought processes in western culture. In large part the article talked about our predilection in the west to label something as broken or a problem so we can then fix it. This is evidently a very western attitude and in other cultures this doesn’t occur. Other cultures simply look at something and incrementally improve it, but we label it as a problem as broken as something that “needs fixin’.”

I discuss this because that attitude influences our thoughts about Isaac and Rebekah waiting 20 years. God was going to provide a child (ok, in this case, children) at exactly the moment that He knew to be right to provide them. Was this a test for Isaac and Rebekah? Was it difficult? Was it concerning? It may have been. But it doesn’t have to be broken for us to pray for others. It doesn’t have to be a problem for us to trust and rely on God.

I don’t have to put myself or my situation down or label it as a problem or broken to trust in God to improve it. I’m not a “home makeover” project, I’m a child of God. I’m being taught, fed and developed to be stronger and more saintly. God doesn’t need to label me as broken to make me better.

This may seem like semantics to some, but I hope it is helpful.

BSF Genesis: Week 20, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

11.
25:23, Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated;one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

12
a.
He sought to give his blessing over to Isaac in secret

b.
He sought to place the blessing onto his favored son, not the one God chose. In Chapter 28 he again blesses Isaac, without any deceit involved and sends him to get a wife from a tribe of believers.

13.
a.
Obedient, but had same ditches to trip in as did his father. He is noted as praying, meditating and trusting in God. He loved one son over another. He was blessed by God.

b.
Time with God, trusting and obeying Him leads to blessings to bring honor to God

c.
Know our inherited weaknesses and don’t trip

My Daily Journal:

I was struck by the way the joy of the Lord overflows into answering our prayers and questions. Rebekah asked, what is going on in my womb. God could have answered, you are having twins. But, He didn’t stop there. He doesn’t talk just about what is going on right now, but tells her about the future and His plans as well.

That abundant answer to simple questions is evident throughout the bible. God’s answer to prayer over and over again is “I am executing the plan to bring my Son to save you.” We pray and focus on today’s challenges. God answers those, but also the bigger picture.

Illustration: you are ship wrecked in the middle of the ocean, adrift on debris and you have a hangnail. You pray to God about your hangnail. He answers and helps comfort you, but also reminds you that He is sending the boat to rescue you from the sea. (Disclaimer: I am not trying to equate the pain of carrying twins with a hangnail… Just an illustration of the temporal versus the eternal).

BSF Genesis: Week 20, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

9.
a.

Riches. Planted crops and reaped 100 fold.

b.
So many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines became envious

c.
Philistines stopped up the wells that Abraham’s servants had dug. As he dug new wells they quarreled with him.

d.
He moved on. He had faith that God would provide.

e.
Each time he moved they found more water. When he reached Rehoboth there was no more quarreling and Isaac praised God and gave Him the credit and glory as well as confidence in His promise to flourish in the land

10.
a.
The king of the Philistines sought out Isaac for a peace agreement because he recognized that God was with Isaac

b.
By living a life dedicated to pleasing the Lord I need not worry about enemies or the enemy.

My Daily Journal:

I recently read a very interesting business book called Abundance by Steven Kotler. One of the key premises of the book is that so much of our thought and social policy revolves around a theory of scarcity. However, historically, time and again, technology innovations have drastically changed the situation at the point where scarcity would have become a problem. An example he uses is London at the turn of the century. They were facing a major problem in regard to the amount of horse manure crowding the streets of London and were looking at regulation and policies to address this problem. However, within a very short period of time, the problem went away as horses were replaced by automobiles.

Don’t we do the same with God? We would think, “that is my well, my father’s servants dug that well, I need to fight for my rights to that well, finding water can be hard and I have all of these animals to water.” But, instead Isaac sees the solution differently. He doesn’t look at the scarcity of wells, but at the abundance of God to provide. He doesn’t just sit back and wait for God to fix things, he moves, he and his servants dig, they work and pray.

Isaac could fight the philistines. He could take his case to the king and force him to alienate one group or the other through his decision. But by relying on God’s abundance, he not only finds water, but also forms an even stronger relationship with men who otherwise would be his enemies.

BSF Genesis: Week 20, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

5.
Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless.

6.
Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the open country and Isaac had a taste for wild game. It is good to have pride in our children and their interests and share their passions. It is wrong to love one child over another.

7.
Famine: Do not go down to Egypt, I will be with you and bless you, I will give all these lands and confirm oath to Abraham, through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed

8.
a.
Lied and said his wife was his sister

b.
Confession of wrong. To have recognized that the weakness of the father can often be the weakness of the son.

c.
Be honest with them about the dumb things I have done in my life. Recognize and confess those things that did not bring glory to God as wrongs so as they follow my footsteps, they are the footsteps on the right path.

My Daily Journal:

While Isaac repeated some of the sins of his father, it appears he also learned from some as well. We know that Isaac prayed on behalf of his wife to have children. That was important and good. But as importantly and as good is the fact that the two of them waited 20 years.

They desired children. They prayed for children. But they waited for God’s timing and didn’t take matters into their own hands. There was no Hagar solution.

Additionally, there was one other fact that I missed the first times I read this through. Abraham would have been alive to see his grandsons:

Isaac was born when Abraham was 100
Jacob and Esau where born when Isaac was 60 (Abraham 160)
Abraham died at the age of 175
When Abraham was buried by his sons, his grandsons would have been about the same age Isaac was when Abraham was called to sacrifice him.