# 246 Do Not Be Unequally Yoked

The Book of Genesis

Day 246

Ge 26:34 When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite.  35 And they were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah.

Esau….so spiritually dull. He had sold his birthright for some stew, and now he marries not one but two unbelieving Canaanite women! What was he thinking? Ummmm, he wasn’t!

First of all, marriage was meant for one man/one woman…not two, and secondly, it is God’s desire that His children marry believers! No wonder the writer of Hebrews refers to Esau as “profane or godless!”  He just did things without any regard to the will of God.

The Laws of God have been written in the hearts of men from the get-go. Ro 2:14,15 says, “ for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,  15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

This Law that Esau ignored concerning intermarriage was later codified in De 7:3,4,6,  "Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son.  4 "For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.  6 "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

God’s people are not to be profane or common. They are holy, set apart. Their marriages are to be set apart and holy as well. To add a heathen to the marital union is like adding fools gold to the treasure that God desires marriage to be. It is the institution that He loves! (Mal 2:11)

In 2Co 6:14 we read, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

God’s will has not changed in this matter, believers ought to marry fellow believers! I know this is not necessarily an easy thing to do in today’s world.  It seems in many cases that personal faith in Jesus isn’t worked out until later in life, and singles just don’t want to wait that long! On top of that, how can you really tell whether someone is a Christian? Can you see their faith? Is it real or a charade?

Let’s face it, only God knows and the best we can do is pray, and seek to marry someone who professes to be a Christian, and always looking for signs of the fruit of the Spirit in their life. As Jesus noted in Lu 6:43,44 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.   44 "For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.”

So, for the single person, the key is to wait and discern. For the parents the key is to pray early and often for your child’s future mate! To not do these things is to open the door to future “grief of mind,” for parents and children alike.

Parents: In addition to praying for your child’s future mate, be sure to teach your children early on about God’s plan for marriage.

# 245 A Picture of Peace Between Gentile and Jew

The Book of Genesis

Day 245

Ge 26:26 Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath, one of his friends, and Phichol the commander of his army. 27 And Isaac said to them, "Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?" 28 But they said, "We have certainly seen that the LORD is with you. So we said, 'Let there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant with you, 29 'that you will do us no harm, since we have not touched you, and since we have done nothing to you but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the LORD.'" 30 So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31 Then they arose early in the morning and swore an oath with one another; and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. 32 It came to pass the same day that Isaac's servants came and told him about the well which they had dug, and said to him, "We have found water." 33 So he called it Shebah. Therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.

Is this some sort of a test for Isaac? God had just told him to fear not because He would be with him and into the camp comes Abimelech, one of his friends, and the commander and chief of his army! Seems a little intimidating to me!

Isaac wants to know why he is getting this visit in light of the way Abimelech and his tribesmen have pushed him out of their country!

Abimelech and his contingent tell Isaac, that they want peace between Isaac and their country. Isaac is on their border and they want to keep him that way. In short, they are the ones in fear! They rightly remind Isaac, that while he was in their country they did him no harm, and now they want him to promise not to harm them as well.

Gotta give these guys credit, they recognize that the Lord is with Isaac and therefore, not a good idea to mess with him.So as was the custom they had a feast, they ate and drank. The next morning the peace treaty was finalized and Abimelech and his entourage went away assured of peace.

As I read this, I am reminded of the early church and the olive branch offered to the Gentiles (represented here by Abimelech) and the Jewish Christians (represented here by Isaac.)  The Lord’s Supper opening up  to Gentile and Jew alike to remind both parties of God’s covenant through the Body and Blood of Jesus!

Peace with God and men through faith in Jesus!

That same day, Isaac’s servants come to him and say, “We have found water!.” (Water reminding me of the Living Water, the Holy Spirit who shows up here when peace is made between Jew and Gentile, just like He showed up in the house of Cornelius in the Book of Acts..  Ac 10:45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

This account of Isaac and Abimelech is not just an insignificant story in the Old Testament, I believe it is a picture of the eventual peace between Jew and Gentile that would come about through the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, as proclaimed in the gospel!

# 244 In the Boat With Jesus

The Book of Genesis

Day 244

Ge 26:23 Then he went up from there to Beersheba. 24 And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham's sake." 25 So he built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac's servants dug a well.

The Philistines have pushed Isaac back by filling any wells that he had dug, sending the message, “You are not welcome here.”  So he finds himself at Beersheba.It was at Beersheba that his father Abraham had made a covenant of peace with another Abimelech. It was also at Beersheba that Abraham had planted a tamarisk tree and called on the name of the everlasting God.  Now, years later, God would use this special place to assure Isaac that all is well between he and the Lord. He appears to Isaac and assures him that he need not have any fears because, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not fear for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for my servant Abraham’s sake.”

Think about this and meditate on these words. The God of Abraham (who had an awesome track record with Isaac’s father) appears to him and virtually promises the same good things for Isaac. The line of the Messiah will continue through Isaac and his descendants!

And the God of the universe speaks to Isaac and tells him to remove fear from his vocabulary because God will be with him! . We know of course that the Scriptures say that God is love. (1 Jn 4:8) And being God, He is perfect, and the Bible also tells us that “perfect love casts out all fear!” (1 Jn 4:18) Therefore as followers of Christ, we too may remove ourselves from fear, because Jesus has promised to be with us through thick and thin. Joh 14:18 "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

And:

Mt 28:20b "and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.”

I am reminded of the time Jesus and his disciples hopped into a boat to get to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. (Luke 8:22-25) A terrible storm rose up and Jesus was sawing logs in the boat. The disciples thought they were going to die and woke up Jesus with these words, “We are perishing!” Jesus rebuked the winds and waves, He calmed the sea, and then rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. (“Where   is your faith?” Verse 25) You see, in verse 22 Jesus had told the disciples, “Let us go across to the other side,” that should have been all the disciples needed to hear. If Jesus said let’s go to other side, then He will get you there.

Listen, when God calls us with the gospel and makes us His children,  Jesus promises to get us to the other side as well. Fear not! He is with you no matter the life storm that comes your way.  So when fear wells up in your heart, remember these words, they will help you weather the storm,. 2Ti 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” There is no sounder mind, than the one that finds itself in the same boat with Jesus!

# 243 DNA As A Witness On the Last Day

The Book of Genesis

Day 243

Ge 26:22 And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, "For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land."

The Philistines keep filling Isaac’s well in order to send him a message. The message is simply, “You are not welcome here!”  We have a word for that kind of an attitude…..it is “persecution.” This persecution of Isaac caused him to keep moving until he found a place where he was free to dig wells and the life giving water could freely flow! I believe these wells are a picture for us of the free flow of the Holy Spirit! And this text is a reminder of what to do when  the gospel is preached and it is not received with a glad heart.

God, often uses this kind of persecution to cause His church to spread out and share the gospel of grace in places where He has “made room for it.” And His church becomes “fruitful in the land!”  Such was the case in Ac 11:19-21, “Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

This portion of Genesis should cause us to remember the instructions Jesus gave His disciples when He sent them out to preach the Good News: Mt 10:14 "And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.  15 "Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

That dust on the sandals of the disciple’s feet contained their DNA and it will serve as a witness against those who rejected the Good News on that Final Day. It will be proof positive that the Gospel had been preached but rejected! Those wells that the Philistines filled up with dirt will serve as a testimony against them as well, for the promise of God was in their presence (Isaac) and they said, “you are not welcome here.”

So, how do you know when to leave, and how do you know when to stay? You pray! Ask God for direction! He wants you and I to share the Gospel, and He knows where, and with who,  He wants us to share it. Trust Him! He will get you to the place you need to be. Wherever that place may be….keep sharing as He provides opportunity.  Keep in mind the words of 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Isaac moved on whenever there was quarreling. And that’s something to remember as well. The gospel is not something that we argue about, we simply proclaim it, and let the Holy Spirit do His work. If the person who hears the gospel wants to engage in quarreling, let him engage with God!

For our part, we can be confident that “as many as receive Him, He gives the right to be called children of God!

# 242 Stopping Up Your Well

The Book of Genesis

Day 242

Ge 26:13 The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; 14 for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him. 15 Now the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, and they had filled them with earth. 16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, "Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we." 17 Then Isaac departed from there and pitched his tent in the Valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. 18 And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them. 19 Also Isaac's servants dug in the valley, and found a well of running water there. 20 But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, "The water is ours." So he called the name of the well Esek, because they quarreled with him. 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also. So he called its name Sitnah.

The Lord blessed Isaac and he was doing very well in the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines were very jealous of him. So jealous that they wanted him out of their territory, and the way they sought to move him out was to keep filling the wells that Isaac needed for his family and his livestock.

It’s interesting that we read of no act of retaliation on Isaac’s part. I mean, I think I might be more than a little miffed about this tampering with my water, how about you?

Even as Isaac began to withdraw, he finds that the Philistines have filled up the wells that his father had dug. The message is clear, “You are not welcome here.”This is the message followers of Christ will run into in varying degrees of intensity as they seek to live Spirit filled (read that water-filled) lives. The Holy Spirit referred to “living water” in God’s Word. Joh 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

The mere presence of a believer in the midst of unbelievers can create this kind of animosity. I remember my days working at a secular radio station. After my conversion to Christ, I would end my radio show every day by simply saying. “God bless you.” This irritated a listener who wrote the station and complained about my “constant preaching” on the air waves.  (She was in a sense trying to stop up my well.)

R. C. Sproul writing in his Christian classic, (The Holiness of God)  tells about a leading professional golfer years ago who was invited to play in a foursome with Gerald Ford, Jack Nicklaus, and Billy Graham. He had played with Nicklaus before, but he was in awe of playing with President Ford and Billy Graham.

After the round was finished, one of the other pros came up and asked, “Hey, what was it like playing with the President and with Billy Graham?” The pro unleashed a torrent of cursing, and said in a disgusting manner, “I don’t need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat.” With that he turned and stormed off, heading for the practice tee.

Funny thing, the pro later admitted that Billy had not said one single thing about “religion” when they played.

Face it! Be prepared for it! Not everyone will be thrilled with the fact that you are a Spirit filled follower of Christ. The unregenerated man is revulsed by the light of Christ because they love their sin! Joh 3:19 says, "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Take heart when someone attempts to stop up your well, for it is a testimony that you are a follower of Christ, and a citizen of heaven!  . Mt 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

# 241 Pressing On In Spite Of Our Mistakes

The Book of Genesis

Day 241

Ge 26:7 And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, "She is my sister"; for he was afraid to say, "She is my wife," because he thought, "lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold." 8 Now it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked through a window, and saw, and there was Isaac, showing endearment to Rebekah his wife. 9 Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, "Quite obviously she is your wife; so how could you say, 'She is my sister'?" And Isaac said to him, "Because I said, 'Lest I die on account of her.'" 10 And Abimelech said, "What is this you have done to us? One of the people might soon have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us." 11 So Abimelech charged all his people, saying, "He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death."

 12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him.

It’s déjà vu all over again! Like father, like son. Isaac has obeyed God’s simple command to “dwell in the land.” However, like his father Abraham, he falters when it comes to trusting God for his physical protection. This fear of being killed for the sake of their wives evidently was very real to them. So real, that they put their wives at risk of being sexually assaulted.

But once again God bails out his chosen one by allowing Abimelech to witness Isaac showing affection toward Rebekah in a manner that obviously indicated she was much more than his sister!

One of the amazing aspects of this account is found in verse 8 which says “when they had been there a LONG time,” somehow God had managed to place a hands off aura around Rebekah and she was spared any sexual violation.

Well, once discovered, Abimelech was furious with Isaac, just as the Abimelech of Abraham’s days was furious with Abraham!. No doubt, this account of the incident with Abraham had been passed down from generation to generation and the warning given in Abraham’s day was probably still ringing in the ears of this Abimelech! “You are a dead man because of the woman you have taken, restore the man’s wife and you shall live. If you don’t, you and all who are yours shall surely die.” (Gen 20:3) It’s the sort of thing that’s hard to forget!

This Abimelech wanted no part of this and so he orders his people not to touch Isaac or his bride, anyone touching them would be put to death!. With that kind of protection, Isaac went on to sow in the land and reap a great harvest, and the Lord blessed him, and prospered him, just as he said he would if Isaac would obey the simple command to dwell in the land!

When you and I respond affirmatively to God’s commands, we, like Isaac and Abraham are likely to make mistakes along the way. (Usually due to unnecessary fears that rise up in our hearts) Let’s not allow our mistakes to keep us from the blessing. Let’s not lose sight of the command. Let’s confess our shortcomings, and receive God’s forgiveness and get back to the simple task that God has laid before us. God’s not looking for a perfect heart to carry out His tasks……just a willing one.

# 240 Two Men and A Famine (How God Moves His People)

The Book of Genesis

Day 240

Ge 26:1 There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar.

The story moves from the troublesome twins (Esau and Jacob) to Isaac’s encounter with Abimelech of the Philistines.  First off, this is not the same “Abimelech” as the one that Abraham had dealt with falsely  97 years earlier, when he tried to pawn off Sarah as his sister. “Abimelech “is more likely a title or an office, like the term “Pharaoh.”

Most of this chapter mirrors the Abraham experience with Abimelech and helps explain how Isaac spent so much time in Philistine territory, and perhaps how Esau found himself a bride among the Hittites, when he was 40 years old! (v34)  You see the Hittites and Philistines rubbed elbows with each other, and this would explain the mention of Esau finding his bride in verse 34.

I think it’s always instructive to pause and consider famines when they show up in Scripture.  Who’s in charge of famines? God is! He determines when and where rain and snow will fall! Job 37:6 For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.

Famines are one of the ways that God moves people. Here he moves Isaac to Philistine country for some faith lessons, as he did Isaac’s father Abraham.Later He would use famine to bring Jacob and his sons to Egypt to be reunited with Joseph. He used famine to move Naomi to Moab and we were given the story of Ruth,. In the New Testament the account of the Prodigal son, involved a famine that was designed to move the prodigal back home, and around the years 40 to 50 A.D. a famine moved the New Testament churches to open their wallets in support of the saints in Jerusalem!. God uses famines, (physical or spiritual) to move His people!

Famines are a tool that God uses to get our attention or to set His plans in motion, or to get His people moving!

Famines don’t have to be restricted to a bad weather pattern. God can use financial famines, Hag 1:6 "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes."

Or famines of good health (epidemics and diseases) Hab 3:5 Before Him went pestilence, And fever followed at His feet.

Or spiritual famines, Am 8:11 "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it.

So what are we to do when famine strikes in our own lives? We are to move! Not geographically, but spiritually….seek to move closer to God! Solomon gave us the cure in 1Ki 8:35 – 40, "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them,  36 "then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.  37 "When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemy besieges them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is;  38 "whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple:  39 "then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men),  40 "that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.

Spread out your hands toward the temple of Solomon, which was meant to be a picture of Jesus! Confess His name! Confess your sins and turn from them and God’s rain (the Holy Spirit) will come and deal with the famine and plague in your heart! He will hear, forgive, and act, that we may once again, rightly fear (revere) the Lord!

# 239 His Problem? He Walked Away As If Nothing Happened

The Book of Genesis

Day 239

Ge 25:28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.  29 Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary.  30 And Esau said to Jacob, "Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary." Therefore his name was called Edom.  31 But Jacob said, "Sell me your birthright as of this day."  32 And Esau said, "Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?" 33 Then Jacob said, "Swear to me as of this day." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.  34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

I’m beginning to think that Esau had a real problem with food! Isaac favored him because of Esau’s love of his father’s style of food. And here we see more of his love for food as he begs Jacob for some of the lentil slop that Jacob had thrown together in the kitchen. I don’t mean to imply that Jacob was a lousy cook, but when it came time to fool  his father and trick him into getting the blessing that belonged to Esau, it was Rebekah who did the cooking, not Jacob!

At any rate, Esau comes in from the field, so hungry that he could eat a horse, and Jacob seizes the opportunity to try and supplant Esau as the heir. He wants Esau to sell his birthright for what’s cooking on the stove!

This birthright would guarantee Jacob, a double portion of inheritance, leadership over the family, and the blessing to carry on the covenant of promise given to Abraham, Noah, and Adam.

Esau, who is a man governed by his fleshly appetite gives these blessings away for goulash. This is an age old problem for God’s people and we are warned about it in  Heb 12:16, “lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.”

Let’s not sugar coat this, a profane person is a godless person, and a fornicator is anyone engaged in sexual immorality, specifically shacking up outside of wedlock! Do you not know that fornicators are specifically listed among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God! Yes, that’s right, unless they repent, they like Esau, have sold their birthright! Let that sink in, and tremble! You can read about it in (1 Cor 6:9-11, but read all of it, because you don’t have to finish that way! ("But such WERE some of you!")

The Holy Spirit speaking through the Apostle Paul and warning about those who reject Jesus and the cross, in Phil 3:19 says, “whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things.”

These are warnings for us today! We must resist the sin of Esau! With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must subdue the desires of our flesh, lest we too forfeit our birthright! 

Esau, “ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” He indulged his flesh and walked away as if nothing happened, and that’s how he lost his birthright! Father God, should we choose to indulge our flesh, let us not walk away as if nothing happened, but rather run to the cross, with godly sorrow over our sin, that we might receive forgiveness and keep our birthright that You have gracefully granted to us!

# 238 Performance Based Parenting

The Book of Genesis

Day 238

Ge 25:28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

With this one verse, you can feel the dysfunctional family disaster building. The father, Isaac, favoring his eldest son Esau because of his ability to perform for him. It was Esau who could sit down with his father, and enjoy the venison that dad had brought home from the hunt, while they talked about the big football game! Isaac and Esau probably liked their venison chili hot….Jacob probably preferred it mild, therefore Isaac preferred his son Esau.

On the other hand, Rebekah preferred Jacob. No specific reason given, but the preceding verse tells us that Jacob was a mild man who liked hanging around the house. Maybe he just liked reading a book as opposed to doing all that outdoor stuff. At any rate Rebekah preferred him over Esau.

This seems so silly! A father loving one child more than the other because he enjoyed the same food as his son! But this is more than taste buds!  This is about love based on performance rather than grace. There’s a lot of Isaac and Rebekah in all of us. We often send off signals that tell our children that we will love them more if they perform for us! Be a good football player, and I will love you more. Make the soccer team and score some goals, and I will love you more. And you coaches and umpires and officials better watch it, you better give my child a chance to perform up to my expectations!

And Jacob, I will love you more if you get good grades.  Beware teacher if you hinder my child in any way to impress me with good grades!

Our whole society has become performance oriented and winning has seemingly become everything! But listen Isaac and Rebekah, don’t you know that a focus on winning and performance will often divert you from what’s important….namely shaping character! 

Allow me to let you in on a little secret; Your children do not need prodding and extra incentives to please you! They long to perform for you in all sorts of ways that they deem pleasing to you.  (Remember, “Look mom! No hands!)   Take note of every time you catch them looking for your approval, and let them know by your actions and affirming words  that you notice and appreciate their efforts!

And above all, let them know that your love for them is not based on performance! Let them know that your love for them is just as unconditional as the love of your heavenly Father is for you.

Ro 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Christ died for us out of pure love for us with no amount of performance on our part attached. And it is out of that kind of love for us, that we then strive to please Him through obedience that leads to God-pleasing performance on our part, and in the end, our heavenly Father will say to us, what all children long to hear, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant!

# 237 Real Men Follow Jesus

The Book of Genesis

Day 237

Ge 25:27 So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents.  28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Quite a contrast in the makeup of these twins. Esau, today might be called the “the manly man,” and Jacob, the stay at home “mama’s boy.”

But before we jump on the stereotyping bandwagon, we ought to cast aside all our pre-conceived notions about what kind of men they are, and rather, look at their heart…..that’s what really matters.

It seems that there is a stigma attached to being a male follower of Jesus. Christian men are often looked at as wimps by the world’s standards. ( I know that’s the way I viewed male followers of Christ before Jesus got a hold of me!) 

I think that perception is changing as more and more Christian athletes speak boldly about their faith in Jesus! Remember Reggie White, the “minister of defense,” who terrorized opposing quarterbacks and offensive linemen in the NFL?  Try telling him at the peak of his career that he was a wimp because he followed Jesus.

Remember the Promise Keepers movement founded by the very successful college football coach  Bill McCartney? Those stadium events thundered with the voices of 40,000 plus men singing worship songs to Jesus! And you can be sure that there were many Esau’s and Jacob’s in the mix! 

The proof of course is in the pudding. We may talk about Jesus and our faith till the cows come home, but are we living it? It is in living it, that the real warrior emerges! A warrior who puts on the full armor of God daily in order to do battle with the devil, the world, and his flesh!  The Christian warrior provides the willing “Braveheart” and allows God to fight these spiritual battles through him. A Christian man finds his true identity in Christ and not in the number of trophies on his wall. A Christian man doesn’t measure himself by the number of things he has conquered, but rather is measured to the degree that Christ has conquered him!

It doesn’t matter whether a man is an indoors or outdoors type, what matters is his willingness to take up his cross and follow Jesus!

Jesus said in Mt 10:38,39, "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

 39 "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

It is this man (or woman) who will capture the only trophy that matters….the prize of eternal life, freely given to the man or woman who has been conquered by Christ.

# 236 The Supplanter

The Book of Genesis

Day 236

Ge 25:24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb.  25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau.  26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

So the twins are born. Esau, the first one out of the womb and immediately named in accordance with his physical appearance. He was ruddy even as a newborn child! Red and hairy, his parents name him Esau which means “rough.”

But what’s this? The next guy out grabs the heel of Esau as if to say, “Not so fast buddy, I’m gonna have the role of first born here!” This is so strange! A little infant putting his perfectly formed little fingers around his brother’s tiny heel at birth!  In Hosea 12:3, we read that he actually grabbed his brother by the heel while he was still in the womb, and that’s the way he came out into the world! So his parents gave him the name “Jacob” which means “one who takes the heel,” or “supplanter.” To supplant is to overthrow by tripping up, and that’s exactly what Jacob would do later in life as he trips up Esau and Isaac in order to get the birthright and blessing which was due the firstborn!

Esau, who would become the father of the Edomites, would serve the younger Jacob, (the father of the Israelites) and this word from the Lord, given to Rebekah during her pregnancy with these twins, would come to pass in 2 Sam 8:14 where we read of David putting garrisons throughout all Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. 2Sa 8:14 He also put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.This was by no  means an easy process as is noted throughout the Old Testament. The Edomites were a thorn in the side of Israel throughout much of their history.

Let us guard against those tendencies in all of us to be “Jacobs,” to be “supplanters.” If we were honest, we would all admit to being schemers in most areas of our lives. It’s like Bob Wallace said to Betty Haynes in “White Christmas, “surely you knew that everybody’s got a little larceny operating in them.”

We do! We want to be in control. We want to determine our destiny, but as we shall see with Jacob, schemers have little rest and no peace. Let us cease our striving as we try to be one step ahead of everyone (especially God! Rather let us take Php 4:6,7 to heart. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

# 235 Saved By Grace

The Book of Genesis

Day 235

Ge 25:22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD.  23 And the LORD said to her: "Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger."

“The older shall serve the younger.” Why? Because God says so! This is an example of pure grace!  It is unmerited favor shown to Jacob! It is how God has elected to save sinners like you and I!  This little snippet from the pregnancy of Rebekah will be used by the Holy Spirit later on in the Bible to explain salvation apart from works.

The Apostle Paul speaks of it in Ro 9:10,11, “And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac  11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),

In other words, neither child had done anything good or evil up to this point. The younger child (Jacob) had done nothing to earn God’s favor and the older child (Esau) had done nothing to earn God’s disfavor But the older shall serve the younger, and as it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated, (the word hate here simply means to love less)

We might say, “That’s unfair and unrighteous God!” No it isn’t, for God told Moses I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, (works) but of God who shows mercy.”

Further, God’s method of election applies straight across the board, there are no exceptions, and therefore totally fair and totally righteous on His part!

This is mind-boggling stuff, and perhaps the best approach is to rejoice in the fact that He called YOU, and by His grace, (divine influence on your heart,) you heard and said yes! This understanding of God’s grace will lend itself to thankful living on your part, which in turn allows you to partner with Him and the Holy Spirit in bringing His saving grace to others as well.

We like to say that we “choose” to follow Christ, or that we “decided” to follow Jesus. But when you really pause and think it through, you can’t help but realize that your decision was made only by the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit, who brought you to that place where you were willing to go “all in,” with God!

 For it is by grace (divine influence on your heart) that you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

# 234 Another Reminder From the Author of Life

The Book of Genesis

Day 233

Ge 25:22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD.  23 And the LORD said to her: "Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger."

Rebekah had a difficult time getting pregnant, and then once the Lord granted her conception, the pregnancy was not going well. She was enduring a constant kick-boxing tournament going on in her womb and sought the Lord as to what this unusual activity meant.

His answer is instructive.

Not only does the Holy Spirit use this struggle to illustrate grace for us later on in Scripture (Rom 9:10) but this passage also teaches us about the value of life from conception on.

Go ahead, roll your eyes, here I go again, using the Scripture to point out that life begins at conception, but someone has to do it. We continue to end the lives of unborn children in the United States at an alarming rate with over 60 million little Esau’s and Jacob’s being eliminated in the womb since the Roe V Wade Supreme Court decision of 1973.

Consider the fact that this whole story of the confrontational lives of Esau and Jacob could have been narrated for us later on in Scripture, but it isn’t! It is unfolded for us even in the womb. God is forming, and God is shaping what He created at conception.  As our Creator, it’s what HE does, and we have no business taking charge of the life story of that which He has created. Our role in all this is to patiently endure, to bring forth in birth, and watch what God has wrought in the womb!

Ultrasound technology has given us a window to the womb, but God needs no ultrasound. He sees it all

 Ps 139:12-16 says, “Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.  13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.  14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.  15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.  17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!  18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

And this is not the only time we read of such activity in the womb in Scripture. Mary, who was carrying Jesus in her womb, visits Elizabeth who is six months pregnant with John the Baptist and we read in  Lu 1:41 “And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Those little unborn senses of John the Baptist are working already as he recognizes the approach of Jesus and reacts appropriately.  It was a picture of what John the Baptist would later proclaim in his ministry: Joh 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease.

Likewise, those little unborn senses of Esau and Jacob are working overtime in the womb of Rebekah, picturing the struggle that would take place as they grew into men, and more importantly, (as we mentioned before) a physical demonstration of the concept of grace, which we all need to see!

A grace that comes to us and grants us the gift of saving faith. A faith that convinces us of God’s undeserved forgiveness of all the sins we commit…..yes, even the sin of abortion.

God is the author of life. He is still in the process of writing your story and mine, let us allow Him to write the story of all those whom He has created!

# 233 Struggles With Pregnancy

The Book of Genesis

Day 233

 Ge 25:19 This is the genealogy of Isaac, Abraham's son. Abraham begot Isaac.

 20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian.

 21 Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

 22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD.

Lots of pleading and inquiring of the Lord here concerning the process of birthing children!  This ought to cause every one of us to pause and consider the miracle of childbirth.  From conception, to formation in the womb, to the actual birth of a child, it's all a totally miraculous process!

Oh, we have tried to remove God from the process through test tubes and other kinds of genetic engineering, (many times at the price of the death of embryos who are created in the image of God! Please consider this possible ramification as you, along with Isaac, plead to God for children!)

But the bottom line is God is the creator of life. He gives the green light or the red light to life. He determines the ease or the struggles involved in bringing a child into this world. I don't think we emphasize this enough in our world today, and this lack of acknowledgment has often led to us taking life into our own hands, often with disastrous results. 

Here are some reminders from the Scriptures about the Creator of our lives:

 Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

 Ac 17:25 "Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

 1Ti 6:13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things,

 Joh 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

 De 32:39 'Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.

And if these aren't enough reminders, there's always the 139^th Psalm.

God is the author of life. It is to Him that we plead our cause, and it is to Him that we bring the struggles of the birthing process. We use, (not abuse)  the technology that He has mercifully granted to us, always making sure it is in line with His Word.

Remember, you are not alone in your struggles. You join Isaac, Rebekah, and millions of others since God first breathed life into the nostrils of Adam.  Give God thanks and all the glory for this thing we call life!

# 232 “He’s In A Better Place”

The Book of Genesis

Day 232

  Ge 25:12 Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maidservant, bore to Abraham.

 13 And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa,

 15 Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.

 16 These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations.

 17 These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.

 18 (They dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.) He died in the presence of all his brethren.

“And was gathered to his people.” This phrase, as we mentioned last time, is found in several places in the Old Testament, and is the modern day equivalent of that worn out adage spoken at many a funeral, “he's in a better place now.”

There is a difference though. When found in the Word of God, this phrase speaks of a certainty, whereas when we speak it, we really don't know. Only God knows the heart. Personally, I think we will be greatly surprised by who we run into in heaven, and greatly surprised by who's missing.

In heaven, we will find those saints who exhibited great faith in their lives on earth, and we will find those with little faith.  And we can be sure that the hypocrites, (the actors) will be missing, but again only God knows the heart.

In the matter of faith we have this word of consolation from Jesus:   Mt 12:20 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench,

We can't see saving faith, but Jesus can.

Think of the hapless Ishmael. He didn't ask for the cards that were dealt to him, but when he died, he was “gathered to his people,” joining all the others before him who had faith in the coming Christ!

Growing up in the household of Abraham, we can be certain that he was aware of the Lord's grace and the promised Messiah. He was circumcised ( the Old Testament equivalent of baptism) and he believed....he had faith. So when he died he was “gathered to his people” just as the faith filled Abraham had been gathered to the his people in the place of eternal comfort!  With this phrase, “gathered to his people,” we can be certain that Ishmael enjoys Christ's eternal blessings among all the saints.  We can't say that with any certainty for his descendants.

It always boils down to the faith of the individual and we'll let God be the judge of that, all the while knowing and believing,  Mr 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

# 231 The Glorious Gathering

The Book of Genesis

Day 231

 Ge 25:8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.  9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite,  10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife.  11 And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi.

A couple of things we should make note of here. First of all,  look who buried Abraham! It was Ishmael and Isaac. These two half-brothers had been estranged from each other ever since Sarah had kicked Hagar and Ishmael out of the house, but now they were brought together by the death of their father.

It is at this point that Ishmael is then briefly brought back into the Genesis account. Even though Isaac and Ishmael were brought back together for the funeral, the Bible makes it clear that the blessing of the righteous  line of Christ continues through the blessing of God bestowed upon Isaac.

We don't know what kind of contact Isaac had with Ishmael through the years, or how he got word to Ishmael that his father had died, but let us use this incident to remind ourselves to not allow family disputes to follow us all the way to the grave, Let us make every effort to live at peace with one another, especially within the family!  Ro 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

Secondly, let us note the use of the idiom “was gathered to his people.” This is a common phrase used in Scripture that speaks of more than mere death. Commentators have differing views on this phrase, but the Holy Spirit does not waste words in Scripture. If all that was being recorded here was the death of Abraham, He didn't need to add that phrase.

This phrase was also used in speaking of the passing of Isaac, Jacob, Aaron, and Joshua, and in the view of many commentators, is just another way of saying that these men, passed on to glory joining all believers that have gone on before them.

You and I may pass on and our bodies may wind up in a cemetery, but as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, our souls move on to be gathered with all believers that have gone on before us.....people like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, and yes even the thief on the cross!

What a glorious gathering that will be!  By the grace of God, I hope to see you there one day!

# 230 The Summary of Abraham's Life

The Book of Genesis

Day 230

  Ge 25:1 Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah.

 2 And she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

 3 Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.

 4 And the sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

 5 And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.

 6 But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east.

 7 This is the sum of the years of Abraham's life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years.

 8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

 9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite,

 10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife.

Abraham was 137 years old when Sarah died and he lived to be 175. After her death we are told he married Keturah. Who is referred to as one of his concubines in 1 Chr 1:32. Yes Abraham had concubines, but this in no way legitimizes polygamy or adultery.  This sinful practice was tolerated and practiced largely due to the influence of the pagan cultures of the day, but it certainly was not the will of God! AND it  usually created all sorts of relational problems within the family.

In spite of all these children fathered by Abraham, the righteous line of Jesus Christ is preserved and given special attention through Isaac. “Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac” (v5)

He didn't leave the rest of his children out in the cold, rather he gave them gifts and sent them eastward, away from Isaac.

So the earthly life of Abraham ends after 175 years. He wasn't perfect, but what a legacy of faith he left behind! Here is a man, who to this day, is revered by Muslims, Jews, and Christians. He was “the friend of God.” (James 2:23) and the father of the faithful. (Gen 15:6)  He was generous, hospitable, unselfish and a man of great character with unbounded trust in God! Yet, he is no different than you or I! He had his faults, but even with his faults, he sought to exercise his God-given faith time after time. He sought to do what we all should seek to do, and that is, to  believe and obey God with the measure of faith God has given us. How will God call you and I to exercise faith today? How will God give us an opportunity to be an Abraham? Let us all pray, that we don’t let those opportunities slide by.

# 229 Oh Get Ready, Evening Shadows Fall

The Book of Genesis

Day 229

  Ge 24:63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming.  64 Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel;  65 for she had said to the servant, "Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "It is my master." So she took a veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.  67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

And so the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah is consummated in the tent of Sarah. I've always loved this story, but I have learned to love it even more after hearing the hymn, “Camel Train.”  The song uses this biblical account to paint a beautiful picture of the believers relationship to Jesus as the Bride of Christ. 

’Twas a day in early springtime,
By an ancient wayside well,
Eliezer paused to rest his camel train.
He had found a bride for Isaac
Ere the evening shadows fell,
For his weary journey had not been in vain. 

Oh, get ready! Evening shadows fall.
Don’t you hear the Eliezer call?
There’s going to be a wedding,
And our joy will soon begin,
 In the evening when the camel train comes in.

2

So he took the fair Rebekah,
Dressed in jewels rich and rare,
Quickly to her waiting bridegroom far away.
Where Rebekah loved her Isaac,
And he loved Rebekah fair;
Oh, it must have been a happy wedding day.

3

Now the blessed Holy Spirit,
From our Father God above,
Has come down to earth to find a worthy Bride.
For our Isaac over yonder
Has prepared His tents of love,
And He wants His fair Rebekah by His side.

4

We have left our kinfolk gladly;
We have bade the world goodbye.
We’ve been called to be His pure and spotless Bride;
Where we’ll soon behold our Jesus
In that blest eternity—
What a happy, happy wedding that will be!

“Oh get ready,” church,  evening shadows fall, cover yourself in the humility of Rebekah, and prepare to meet your groom!

# 228 “You’re In My Thoughts and Prayers”

The Book of Genesis

Day 228

  Ge 24:61 Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed. 62 Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. 64 Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; 65 for she had said to the servant, "Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "It is my master." So she took a veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

 As improbable as it seems, Rebekah and her maids hop on the camels and off they go to a strange land to marry a complete stranger.  Wasn't it just yesterday that she was getting water from the well for the family, and now she is all bedecked with silver and gold and jewelry on her way to meet her husband! Talk about one's head spinning.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Isaac is out in the field, it's evening, and he's meditating.  The word meditate can certainly involve prayer, but in the original language it means to “muse pensively.”  It carries with it the idea of sad thoughtfulness.  Was Isaac having a little pity party?  Perhaps he was grieving the loss of his mother.  (Gen 23:2) He was estranged from his half-brother and his father was getting up in years. Will his father's servant have any luck in finding him a bride?  I think Isaac was feeling a void in his life and that void was filled by Rebekah as we read in v67 “Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.”

Whatever Isaac's meditation involved, we can be sure God knew of it and He heard it, and even as he is meditating, God brings the answer to the void in his life into view....Isaac spots the camels! It is as Jesus said in  Mt 6:8 "your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”

One of my petty irritants in life is when people say “You are in my thoughts and prayers.” I want to scream, “Your thoughts aren't going to help me, only God can help me! Keep me in your prayers, not in your thoughts!”

But after reading about Isaac's meditation in the field, maybe I better soften up on that one.  God hears them both! Thoughts and prayers! And He is a compassionate God! So maybe your thoughts coupled with your prayers will move Him to act with mercy and grace on my behalf.  So go ahead! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers! And accept my apologies for being a little too sensitive about the “thoughts” thing. Who knows how many of your thoughts toward me have turned into answered prayer from God!