Genesis 28

16-17 Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, “God is in this place—truly. And I didn’t even know it!” He was terrified. He whispered in awe, “Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God’s House. This is the Gate of Heaven.”

So Jacob became aware that God was present, and when he did he was in awe (i used the Message today I like it better than saying he was afraid).  It just made me think, am I in awe?  

God is in this room with me right now and yet there are probably very few time I act as if I am in awe.  There are times a song really strikes me and makes me feel his presence in a way that I don't generally feel it.  But he is in my presence at all times, I should recognize this fact and feel it and all feel safe because of it.

not sure this was a point of this chapter but it is where my mind took me.
knut

Genesis 27

36 Esau said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob[a]? This is the second time he has taken advantage of me: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” Then he asked, “Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?”

This chapter is strange too me, it doesn't feel very good that Jacob was tricking his father and in effect stealing from his brother.  It seems both these men lack good character.

Now maybe this is just allowed to happen because Esau had already proven his willingness to put short term satisfaction ahead of long term gains like selling his birthright.   Maybe there is a lessen in there about avoiding being selfish or short sighted, the long run results will not be as plentiful.

so I'm struggling to get good lessons out of these last few chapters.  This is very familiar and I'm sure I've heard many sermons over the years that include this section yet I'm not coming away with anything I am certain I can apply to life.

knut

Genesis 26

7 When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” because he was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful.”

Its deja vu all over again.  Seems strange that Jacob is repeating what Abram had done with Saria.

OK, that's it.  I don't have a take.   Water seems pretty important too.
knut

Genesis 25

27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents.

Well I've read this chapter for a couple days.  I know there are important points in history documented here but I don't really come away with a lesson.  I did keep catching my eye that Jacob was a quieter guy that was more of a home body than Esau.  Esau was probably more of a man's man in those days, so it probably makes sense that he was Isaac's favorite.  Not sure what lesson is tucked in there--just an observation.

how about you, get anything?
Knut

Genesis 24

45 “Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’

The entire chapter is like a documentary of God's plan unfolding exactly as it was laid out.  I don't have any great takeaways, but I noted the instant ask/response to prayer that occurs here.  This probably isn't the norm, but it sure would be nice to get such clear answers to prayer.  Maybe I do and I'm still not listening, maybe I don't but its because I am not in constant conversation.  I'm sure I don't pray with the true expectation of clear response.  I had been keeping a prayer journal, but that has stopped for over a year now.  I'm thinking its time to start again as soon as I hit publish here.  

ok--so when i started typing I had nothing to so and now I'm thinking its time to re-energize my prayer journal.  How did this happen?

Oh one other thing--what the heck is up with putting your hand under a guys thigh?  there are a number of writeups on this topic--not sure I believe any of them.  Did you know that testify is a related word to testicles?  deep thoughts by Jack Handy.

I'm out and over to my prayer journal.
knut

Genesis 23

16 Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weight current among the merchants.

I've read this chapter for a couple of days now....waiting for inspiration.  Here it is....not big.
1.  The death of a beloved spouse is tough!  I can't imagine how hard it was for your mom.  I dread the day that I'm faced with it.  I joke with Kim that I'll be the first to go, so I don't have to deal with it.
2.  If I'm not mistaken, this is the first land that Abraham owns in the "promised land."  It happens by circumstance, and not by take-over....but still.

just connecting dots here this morning.

tp

Genesis 22

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey.

There has to be more to this!  Isn't there a serious block of time where Abraham is tormented by this?  Isn't he on his knees for hours begging God for some different instructions?  Isn't there a time where Abraham tries to convince himself to run and not do this?  It seems to clean, to me.

16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore

I think we wrote about this part last time.  God had already promised Abraham that his offspring would be HUGE!  Yet, here we see a confirmation.  What if Abraham refused to do this?  Would the promise have been broken?  Perhaps this is one of those cases where God, not being bound by time, has a different perspective on the situation that we do.  I'm gonna choose to land here.

tp

Genesis 21

14 Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba.


Today i just not Abraham's obedience and trust.  He must certainly hear God clearly and knows the instruction he is getting is not his own thoughts but truly from God.  How else could he just sent his own son off into the desert? He wouldn't even know if he would survive or if he did would he see him again.  Yet he does it.  

Gina and I have tried to be obedient but the I don't know if #1 my ears are open to hearing God's instruction and even if they are would I being willing to do something so counter intuitive to my heart as Abraham was willing to do?

knut

Genesis 20

12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And when God had me wander from my father’s household, I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”

I don't remember reading this before.  She really is his sister?  or half-sister, at least.  That's weird.  But, it does make sense why he would say it, if he is fearful of the situation.  At least it isn't something he made up out of the clear blue.  But, I still don't get it.  He is putting everyone in a position to fail here.  Poor Abimelek had no clue of what he was really doing.  

Lesson for Todd:  Integrity is everything.  If I don't treat every circumstance with honesty and integrity, bad things can happen to all involved.  Even the innocent can be hurt by my bad decisions.

have a great weekend!
tp

Genesis 19

So much to digest here!  Lot of questions in this chapter;
1.  How did Lot know the men were angels?  Did they look different?  He seems to recognize them right away. 
2.  How is it that Lot can persuaded the men to come to his house?  Is this where he went wrong?  Is that why the angry mob came to his door?
3.  Why do the townsmen automatically assume they can come have sex with them?  This seems really weird!
4.  Why does Lot offer is daughters to the angry mob?  I'm pretty sure I would struggle with that one.
5.  Why do the daughters assume they won't ever meet up with other men, and need to sleep with their father?
6.  Why does Lot's wife turn to salt?  There is one line that says, "..don't look back."  But, it doesn't seem to be that strong of a command....just sayin'
7.  How does Lot NOT know that his daughter have had sex with him?  Anytime that happens to me, I certainly know it!

So many questions.....and so few answers!
It almost feels like a chapter that is setting the table for something else to happen.  To much crazy schtuff with not enough context or background.

I guess what I'm sayin' here.....is......I'm not sure what to take from this and apply it to my life?  Is it "God's plan before my plan?"  Is it "Don't look back!?"  Is it "Bad things happen in caves?" 
Not sure.  One thing is for sure......Sodom needed to be destroyed!

tp

Genesis 18

2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

Who were the 3 men was my question today?  The answer that makes the most sense from what I've read is God in the form of a man and two angels.  Only two of the 3 men headed on to Sodom while the 3rd continued to speak with Abraham.  Deduced from 19:1 where two angels arrive in Sodom not 3.

probably not the most important part of the chapter something i was wondering as have many others per Google.

Bigger take away is God is fair, he would save Sodom if there was even 1 righteous person was my take from the exchange at the end of the chapter.

knut

Genesis 17

18 And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”

I think in this entire chapter Abraham's thoughts are only expressed in 1 paragraph.  He laughs at the thought of having a kid at 100yrs old, of course he had one at 86 yrs old so not sure why 100 is so funny.

The other is him asking for God's blessing on Ishmael.

As a  father, it makes sense that Abraham wants all of his children to be blessed not one in particular.  

It is amazing after all of these years how the division between Isaac and Ishmael continues to impact the world.  The land given to Isaac is still under attack by the people of Ishmael.

knut

Genesis 16

much like the last time we read this I do not have a real take.  But I do see the break here between Christian and Islam faith.  It is interesting that God promises Hagar a son and lots of descendants.  Why did he enable this to happen?  it seems like its the start of a long and messy road?

more questions than insights today.
knut

Genesis 15

17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.

So I think this is imagery intended to illustrate God taking away our sins, maybe its foreshadowing of Jesus.  For me it would be easier if he just came right out and said it.  I did a bunch of Google searches and see a lot of interpretations.  What is funny to me is how some people write it as fact.  The smoking fire pot represents God's holiness.  The torch is God saying he will lead us.    OK maybe, but maybe not yet they state it as fact.

At the end of the day the lesson to me is trying to be faithful and getting so close to God that I am certain what he wants my next step to be--rather than the constant challenge I have of knowing when is it my thoughts and when is it his direction.

knut

Genesis 14

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 

Keeping things pure, God had bless Abram by denying anything from the king of Sodom he helps keep that quite clear.  Not sure if there is a lesson for us in there or not about knowing where our blessings come from and/or making it clear to others we know too?

knut