January 15, 2006 - Genesis 36-38 and Matthew 10:21-42
We are reminded again today that God is faithful to us. The question is if we will will be faithful to Him. I pray that we will not presume upon His faithfulness and forget to be faithful to Him ourselves.
Genesis 36 shows us that God was faithful to make a mighty nation out of Esau, even though he sold his birthright for a bowl of stew, and he lost his blessing to Jacob. The Edomites came from Esau's descendants. God was faithful to them, but as far as I know, they were never faithful to God. I had one professor who said there is nothing good said about Edom in the Bible. I can't totally confirm that, but I have never found anything, myself. That is why God rejected Esau. He saw a heart of rebellion. He knew he and his descendants would not follow Him.
Genesis 37 begins the story of Joseph. Joseph is trying to do right, but his brothers hate him, since Jacob favors him over his brothers. This leads to Joseph being sold into slavery in Egypt. Why did they do this? Was it all because of Joseph or Jacob's favor? I don't think it was. Joseph had brought back a bad report to his father about them. (v.2) This shows they were not living right. Their hearts were not right with God. There was anger and envy in their hearts. It just came out against Joseph. That is how it is with us today. People don't really make us mad or envious. We have anger and envy in our hearts, and we just use other people's actions as an excuse to let it out. What we need is a change of heart. Then, we can respond to people in love and mercy.
Genesis 37 is an example of the evil that had come into Jacob's family. God killed two of his grandsons for being evil. His son, Judah, neglected his duty toward Tamar, and then, he went to a harlot. What a mess! Why did this happen? It shows that Jacob's sons were not right with God. They did not have His wisdom, because they were not walking with God. If you find yourself making bad decisions and acting in an evil way, it is a sign that you don't know Jesus, or you are not walking with Him each day. That is what Matthew 10 tells us, too. You can't cover up sin. It will come out. You must choose to confess Christ and to walk with Him, even if your whole family does not believe in Him. We must die to self and live His way, not ours. As we serve Him and not ourselves, He will reward us. Don't you want a life of righteousness and the rewards of righteousness, instead of a life of sin and it's results? It is up to you. You must turn to Jesus and walk with Him as your Lord and Savior.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 39-40 and Matthew 11.
Genesis 36 shows us that God was faithful to make a mighty nation out of Esau, even though he sold his birthright for a bowl of stew, and he lost his blessing to Jacob. The Edomites came from Esau's descendants. God was faithful to them, but as far as I know, they were never faithful to God. I had one professor who said there is nothing good said about Edom in the Bible. I can't totally confirm that, but I have never found anything, myself. That is why God rejected Esau. He saw a heart of rebellion. He knew he and his descendants would not follow Him.
Genesis 37 begins the story of Joseph. Joseph is trying to do right, but his brothers hate him, since Jacob favors him over his brothers. This leads to Joseph being sold into slavery in Egypt. Why did they do this? Was it all because of Joseph or Jacob's favor? I don't think it was. Joseph had brought back a bad report to his father about them. (v.2) This shows they were not living right. Their hearts were not right with God. There was anger and envy in their hearts. It just came out against Joseph. That is how it is with us today. People don't really make us mad or envious. We have anger and envy in our hearts, and we just use other people's actions as an excuse to let it out. What we need is a change of heart. Then, we can respond to people in love and mercy.
Genesis 37 is an example of the evil that had come into Jacob's family. God killed two of his grandsons for being evil. His son, Judah, neglected his duty toward Tamar, and then, he went to a harlot. What a mess! Why did this happen? It shows that Jacob's sons were not right with God. They did not have His wisdom, because they were not walking with God. If you find yourself making bad decisions and acting in an evil way, it is a sign that you don't know Jesus, or you are not walking with Him each day. That is what Matthew 10 tells us, too. You can't cover up sin. It will come out. You must choose to confess Christ and to walk with Him, even if your whole family does not believe in Him. We must die to self and live His way, not ours. As we serve Him and not ourselves, He will reward us. Don't you want a life of righteousness and the rewards of righteousness, instead of a life of sin and it's results? It is up to you. You must turn to Jesus and walk with Him as your Lord and Savior.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 39-40 and Matthew 11.