Tag: Jacob
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Daily Devotional: Genesis 47:1-31
Jacob talks to Pharaoh and prepares for his death. Joseph acquires nearly all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh and many of the people as Pharaoh’s slaves because they sold themselves for food during the famine. As Jacob nears death, he says of his own life, “The years of my sojourning are one hundred and…
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Daily Devotional: Genesis 35:23-29
Jacob and Esau were born at enmity. Jacob came out of the womb on Esau’s heel. By the time their father dies, they are allies. Isaac breathes his last and is gathered to his people. Here we see something about the afterlife, or is it still a precursor to actual life. Even prior to Christ’s…
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Daily Devotional: Genesis 35:9-22
Jacob is given a new name that represents his redeemed place in Christ rather than his former wretched estate in this world. Jacob means “supplanter.” Israel means “contends with, not against, God.” From the renaming of Īssah to Eve in Genesis 3, the new name is a faint typology we see in the Old Testament.…
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Daily Devotional: Genesis 35:1-8
Bethel is the place of revelation. This is why so many contemporary charismatic movements are attracted to the name. God’s revelation of Himself to Jacob at Bethel, though, is not in line with the contemporary charismatic movement. Jacob calls the people to end their idolatry prior to arriving at Bethel. They give up their idols…
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Daily Devotional: Genesis 34:1-31
Jacob’s daughter is raped, and Jacob’s sons seek vengeance by killing all the males in Shechem and plundering their community. Moses is careful to explicitly state that rape is wrong (v. 7). It is evil and detestable. Though the response of Jacob’s sons seems an overreaction, Moses does not clarify explicitly whether it is right…
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Daily Devotional: Genesis 33:1-17
Jacob expects enmity and hostility from Esau. After all, he stole Esau’s birthright and inheritance. Yet, Esau greets Jacob as a brother with no hostility toward him whatsoever. We often expect trouble as we go, so we, like Jacob, fret and prepare. We spend our rime worrying about the future, and the problems we perceive…
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Daily Devotional: Genesis 32:24-32, pt. 2
The name, Israel. This wrestling match is a significant point in the narrative following Jacob’s 20 year sojourn. Instead of destroying everything or leaving people to their own devices, God is keeping His post-diluvian promise by striving with humanity. Jacob’s new name, Israel, means “strives with God.” Such would be national Israel and, eventually, all…
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Daily Devotional: Genesis 32:24-32, pt. 1
The man who wrestles Jacob, here, is God (v. 28, 30). I find it interesting that God had not prevailed against Jacob (v. 25) and that Jacob had striven with God and men and had prevailed (v. 28). Notice that the text does not say or claim that God could not prevail against Jacob. It…
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Daily Devotional: Genesis 32:1-23
Jacob fears Esau but desires to obey God, listening to God’s angels who visited him. So, he separates his people into two camps in case Esau attacks. He sends gifts ahead, hoping to curtail the anger and retaliation he anticipates. Jacob voices his hope that God will hold fast to His promise to prosper Jacob.…
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Daily Devotional: Genesis 31:22-55
Any relationship based on personal gain or selfish expectations will always be strained. Laban abused Jacob. Jacob, in a way, stole everything from Laban. Yet, because God had chosen Jacob and honored His covenant promise to Abraham, He protected Jacob from Laban. Jacob and Laban covenanted to create a border each one would not cross…