https://esv.literalword.com/?q=genesis+28
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 2 December 2024:
Genesis 28:1 – Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women.
God intends for His people to marry other followers of Christ.
Genesis 28:3 – God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples.
God intends for His people to multiply and become great communities in Christ.
Genesis 28:4 – May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!”
Throughout the Bible God’s earthly blessings include children, land, His presence, and His provision.
Genesis 28:8, 9 – So when Esau saw that the Canaanite women did not please Isaac his father, Esau went to Ishmael and took as his wife, besides the wives he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.
Esau’s resentment towards his family drew him deeper into sin, further away from God, and closer to the ungodly world.
Genesis 28:12-13 — And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring.
Here is a video message on Jacob’s Ladder by R.C. Sproul: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/themes-from-genesis/jacobs-ladder
Watch this short video on the Gospel message in Genesis 28: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXPDwdfEeAI
Genesis 28:15 – “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Despite his deceitfulness, God continued to bless Jacob based upon God’s integrity, not Jacob’s. Aren’t we all grateful that God’s fidelity does not depend upon our fidelity? God will discipline Jacob, but He won’t abandon Jacob.
Genesis 28:16 — Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.
Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit, and God is at work all around us, but many Christians cannot perceive His presence. Can you? God is at work all around you today and has called you to participate in what He is doing as part of His great plan of redemption. Do you know what He is doing, and are you at work with Him today?
- Amos 3:7 — “For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.
- John 5:17, 19-20 — But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing.
Genesis 28:20, 21 – Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.”
Is your fidelity to God conditional, based upon His blessings to you? Does God have to do something for you before you will obey Him and follow Him? Pray for a love for God that doesn’t depend upon His blessings, that doesn’t change in good times or bad times.
Genesis 28:22 – And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.
The principle of tithing is found throughout the Bible, but in tithing, we must never forget that it is all God’s.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 2 December 2024: Today, remember, the Lord is with you at all times. Trust Him in whatever you do. Wait upon Him actively by remaining faithful to His commands with patience, perseverance, and joy. Don’t act as if someone or something can rob you of God’s best for you. Walk in the soul rest of His presence, trusting Him in the moment and with the outcomes.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 