Genesis 33-34

“And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan ...” (33:18). God brought Jacob’s large family safely to Canaan, which God had promised to Abraham’s descendants. However, their first choices in the land brought terrible suffering. No one protected Jacob’s only daughter Dinah as she went into the city, and Shechem’s prince violated her. Her rape led to Jacob’s sons slaughtering all the city’s men, provoking Jacob’s lament: “You have brought trouble on me ...” (34:30). Dinah’s pain was not healed, but simply led to more violence.

“God has dealt graciously with me” (33:11). Shechem reveals the power struggles of human life that lead to suffering and death. But God calls broken humanity to give up their violent grasping and receive life from His hand.

Genesis 32

“But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (v26). On his way back to Canaan with his wives, children, and flocks, Jacob encountered his brother Esau with “four hundred men” (v6). Faced with his own fear (and the consequences of his lying and deceiving), Jacob “was left alone” (v24). That night Jacob had a mysterious divine encounter, a struggle that resulted in Jacob receiving a new name and being permanently marked (v28, 31).

“O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac ...” (v9). God works his mighty purposes through the lives of those who trust Him, one by one. Through Jacob’s desperate, personal, “face to face” struggle, the God of his ancestors became his own God (v30).

Genesis 30-31

“Lift up your eyes and see ... I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me” (31:12). Because of God’s intervention, Jacob’s children and flocks increased, despite his internal family conflicts and Laban’s devious attempts at sabotage. Although Laban insisted “all that you see is mine” (31:43), God alone possessed the power of life and abundance. Jacob recognized that his future depended entirely on God’s miraculous help (31:42).

“Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred” (31:13). Jacob, part of a messy, imperfect family, chose to put his life in God’s hands and believe God’s promises. Through him, “all the families of the world” are blessed (28:14).

Matthew 10:26-42

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (v28). Three times, Jesus told His disciples not to fear those who would oppose their message (v26, 28, 31). Being faithful followers of Jesus at times would cause conflict (v34-38) and jeopardize worldly security; Jesus Himself was their model. Yet, giving total allegiance to Jesus was the only way to find true “life” (v39), on earth and into eternity.

“Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (v31). God values our trust and costly obedience. When we follow the path of Jesus and trust the Father’s care, we can live without fear.

Matthew 10:1-25

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (v16). Jesus sent the Twelve out on a mission throughout Israel to proclaim the arrival of God’s kingdom and to do kingdom work: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons” (v7). They would inevitably encounter opposition, just as their Master did (v17, 24), but they were to remain “innocent” while following the Holy Spirit’s lead (v20).

“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority ...” (v1). Jesus’ gift of the Spirit, with power and authority, is not for our own agenda, but for proclaiming His kingdom and participating in His reconciling, healing, redeeming work.

Psalm 7

“The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me” (v8). As the psalmist battled accusations that tore his soul apart (v1-2), he entrusted himself to the great Judge of all. Calling on the Lord for help includes bowing before Him and recognizing His power, righteousness, and authority to judge sin – even our own sin (v12-16). God is a “righteous judge” who desires to help us in ways that lead to our increasing holiness (v10-11).

“May you establish the righteous ... you who test the minds and hearts” (v9). God’s deliverance is aimed at conquering sin and helping us become people who love and obey Him.

Genesis 27

Genesis 27 is one of the most uncomfortable chapters in scripture – watching the integrity of a family, chosen by God to demonstrate His presence in the world, disintegrate through the evils of dishonesty, disloyalty, greed, favoritism and deception – all premeditated. Yet, God kept alive his promises through this family. How could this be?

Romans 4:16 explains God’s answer to our failure and theirs. It tells us God has always blessed according to His nature, not ours. We cannot earn salvation. If one works for grace, it is not grace, it is pay. So, God made his approval premised only on our trusting Him (faith!), to approve of us at His expense. “It is by faith in order that it may be in accordance with grace (v16)!” Despite the failures of Isaac’s family, he ultimately trusted God. It is still only by faith so that it can be “grace.”

Genesis 26

Many factors in life may be intergenerational; these may include blessings, wealth, behaviors and patterns of living. Isaac received some of these from Abraham. God extended His promises, given to Abraham, to Isaac, “because Abraham obeyed me and kept my charge,” (26:5). Sadly, Isaac probably learned of his father’s poor judgment in claiming Sarah, his wife, as his sister (20:1-11), and Isaac chose to copy that behavior, (26:6-11).

Just as God had prospered Abraham, he prospered Isaac until he was very wealthy and had large flocks that needed much water. Though the Philistines had closed the wells that Abraham had dug, Isaac’s servants knew where they were and dug them out again to get water. Perhaps the most important thing that can be learned from past believers is concerning their obedience, not their failures. Obedience to God will bless any generation.

Genesis 25

Genesis 25:1 records almost incidentally the remarriage of Abraham after the death of Sarah and then the death of Abraham himself at the age of 175 years, “an old man, satisfied with life,” (25:1-8). Then the genealogy of Isaac and Ishmael are mentioned. The genealogy of Ishmael ends with, “they settled….east of Egypt….in defiance of all his relatives”, v18.

Actions grow out of values. The defiance and conflict in Ishmael’s family is mirrored in Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau. Esau, the oldest, owns the birthright that Jacob coveted. Jacob was able to cheat him and get possession of the birthright only because “Esau despised his birthright,” (v34). Being a believer does not make us immune to the sins of jealousy, resentment and coveting or of holding wrong values. We must be willing for the Holy Spirit to discipline and cleanse us. Our example must be Jesus, not Abraham, Jacob or anyone else.

Matthew 9

“Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven” (v2). When the paralytic man was carried to Jesus, He saw the sincere, desperate faith of those who had brought their friend. Surprisingly, Jesus offered even more than they asked: forgiveness. The religious leaders knew that offering forgiveness was more radical than healing, and they accused Jesus of blasphemy. But many “harassed and helpless” people recognized their own need, both physical and spiritual, and Jesus answered their cries (v36).

“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages ... proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom” (v35). Only our own pride and self-righteousness can keep us from what Jesus offers. He is full of compassion and mercy (v36).

Matthew 8:18-34

“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go” (v19). Like any famous Rabbi, Jesus had many who wished to “follow” Him. But Jesus explained that following Him was a radical, life-changing commitment. The One who commanded wind and waves (v27) and cast out demons with a word (v32) called His followers to surrender their whole hearts and futures. “The Son of Man has no where to lay his head” (v20); therefore, His disciples are called to make their home in Him.

“What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (v27). When we surrender all to Him, the Lord of creation knows how to care for us and include us in His rescuing, reconciling work in the world.

Matthew 8:1-17

“When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him ...” (v1). Israel’s most important teacher, prophet, and leader was Moses. But now Jesus, coming down “from the mountain,” surpassed Moses (Heb 3:2). Through the law of Moses, Israel understood holy and unholy, clean and unclean, and lived by those distinctions. But Jesus was Holiness himself. Nothing impure could corrupt Him. He touched and healed the unclean leper (v3) and responded to the Roman centurion.

“He took our illnesses and bore our diseases” (v17). Through the law, God revealed His righteousness, but in the perfect Son, He experienced our sorrows and carried our sins to the cross. United with Him, we can be forgiven and healed.

Psalm 6

We like battles and struggles to end with banners and celebration, but that is not always our experience. In Psalm 6:1,2 David indicates that whatever he is experiencing, he is at least partially to blame. It is the darkest night of his soul, “Do not rebuke me in your wrath … I am pining away.” His description of his distress, (v 2-7) suggests a multiplicity of problems for which he has no solution. His health is gone, he weeps instead of sleeping. The stress has affected his sight and aged his body. But even during this, faith finds expression.

The Lord had seen his tears, heard his supplication and received his prayer (vs 8,9). He is convinced that God will bring his enemies to shame. There are no banners of celebration, just deep confidence. God sees, hears and acts; sometimes that rest is the best victory we can have.

Genesis 23-24

“See to it that you do not take my son back there” (24:6). After Sarah’s death (ch 23), the future of Abraham’s family lay with the next generation. Abraham commissioned his servant to go back to Mesopotamia – “my country and my kindred” (24:4) – to find Isaac a wife and bring her to Canaan. Abraham was committed to God’s call (to multiply his family in Canaan) and was not willing to compromise. Rebekah was God’s provision.

“The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way” (24:40). As we step out in faith, we can trust that the God who calls us to obedience will provide whatever we need for “life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3).

Genesis 22

“God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son” (v8). Isaac was the child of divine promise, and he was also Abraham’s earthly hope for a family line, generational wealth, help in his old age, and public honor in a family-centric society. God asked Abraham to put all this on the altar as a test. In an unimaginable act of faith, Abraham obeyed. God immediately provided a ram in place of Isaac, demonstrating that He did not want bloodshed. Instead, He was the source of everything Abraham needed and desired.

“The Lord will provide ...” (v14). Faith means we throw ourselves into God’s hands without reservation, trusting Him as Savior, Provider, Redeemer. His blessing changes everything (v17).

Genesis 21

“The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised” (v21). Sarah, who had not born children when she was young, gave birth in her old age. The gift of Isaac was “laughter” (v6); he symbolized grace and favor not just for her and Abraham, but ultimately for the whole world. God did not forget Abraham’s son Ishmael (he would become “a great nation” v18), yet Isaac was the miracle child of promise, foretaste of another promised Child to come.

“Through Isaac your offspring shall be named” (v12). Paul tells us that by faith in Christ we, like Isaac, are “children of promise” (Gal 4:28). When all hope was gone, God sent His Son to save us.

Genesis 20

“In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this” (v5). Although God was working out His plan of salvation through Abraham, Abimelech’s integrity and conversation with “the Lord” revealed that God cared for and spoke to others in the land. Abimelech’s righteous intentions, in fact, contrast with Abraham’s self-serving lies about Sarah (v11-13). When Abraham’s lack of faith nearly resulted in disaster for Sarah and their descendants, God intervened to save them all (v3).

“Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech ...” (v17). Through God’s mercy, Abraham still ending up blessing Abimelech’s family. Even when our faith falters, the God who “works all things together for good” looks for ways to bring healing, restoration, and blessing.

Matthew 7:14-29

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father” (v21). Jesus rejected the idea that one could claim His name without loving and following His kingdom ways. Those who did “mighty works” in His name but had no interest in heart change would hear the terrible words, “I never knew you” (v23). He warned against “false prophets” who claimed faith but lived ungodly lives (v15-20).

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (v24). When we trust Jesus as our Savior-King, we are willing to build our lives on His words.

Matthew 7:1-13

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (v3). According to Jesus, human religion focuses on criticizing others and ignoring our own wrongdoing. Even worse, we may justify great sin in ourselves while pointing out someone’s smaller error (v4). Jesus taught his followers to deal with their own hearts first (v5) and to humbly ask for what we need (v7-10). Instead of imitating the world’s cruelty, Jesus calls us to initiate the kindness and fairness we hope to receive (v12).

“Enter by the narrow gate” (v13). The way of Jesus does not fit with the norms of society. When we choose His radical, narrow, surprising path, we find life.

Psalm 5

“For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you” (v4). The psalmist was convinced that God was not just a divine force of power; instead, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had revealed Himself as holy. He hates lies and violence (v6); He is against those who harm others by manipulation and threats (v9-10). The psalmist asked this God of “steadfast love” to lead him not in the ways of wicked men, but in the way of righteousness (v7-8).

“I will bow down toward your holy temple ... make your way straight before me” (v8). In a world that normalizes deceit, violence, and immorality, our heart’s longing is to walk in the straight paths of our Lord.