Genesis 36-38; Romans 12

In chapter 36 we see the descendants of Esau (that is Edom). They became the Edomites. Jacob's other name is Israel and they are known as the Israelites. Esau became a great nation of people they were not the people of God because He did not seek God and the covenant with Abraham was honored through Jacob. Yesterday we saw in Romans 11 that the difference between the remnant of the Jews that did not have the promises of God and those that did was belief. They neither believed nor trusted God's promises and did not walk in His ways so God opened the gospel to the gentiles such as the Edomites and others. We are grafted in their place. Romans 11 says God will graft them in again as He chooses because they are a natural branch from the root (Abraham) and God always honors His covenant. He will draw them in when all of the gentiles have been exposed to the Gospel of Christ. If you are a gentile as I, you should understand that the call to us is real and we should respond to the calling of God. When we do we will also have a heritage of Godly people. One thing to understand is what God has established in our life and where He has placed us to serve. We are to take that seriously and involve ourselves where He has placed us and we will then experience the promises of God in our life. If you are not experiencing the promises of God in your life it is because you have not involved yourself deeply with God's people. We are to bloom where we are planted and when we do, see the beautiful crop God produces from the root of what He established.

Jacob raised his family in the Lord and we see prophesies unfold (your young men will dream dreams). Jacob's (Israel's) son Joseph started dreaming dreams and shared them with his brothers. These dreams showed what God was about to do with his life. They hated Joseph because Jacob loved him more, and so they rejected the dream and the idea that he would rule over them. It began to cause discontent on the family. The dreams usually come before the experience so we can look back and tie the two together. When Joseph shared these dreams with his father, he said "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. (NIV) His brothers plotted to kill him because of jealousy of the dream and the coat that his father made him. Instead they at Judah's prompting sold Joseph to traders who sold him to Potiphar one of Pharaoh's officials. This is why it is so important as parents to love all of our children the same. Jealousy is a terrible sin it is so hard to detect before it has done it's damage and will ruin their lives before they know. We should make them aware of the danger and do everything we can to keep it from settling in.

In chapter 38 we see the life of Judah. After he sold his brother he left his brothers. Jealousy is a sin that always leads to division of the people of God. The deception that started with deceiving Jacob continued in his children and he led a life based on his own desires and understanding. Deception causes us to lead a double life and we see this in the life of Judah. People around him knew his character and his son's widow (his son was killed because he was evil in the sight of the Lord) deceived Judah into getting her pregnant because his other son failed to take on the responsibility of his brother's widow and God ended his life because of that sin. Sin always makes a mess in our family. When she became pregnant the law called for her to be killed but when she produces evidence that she was pregnant by Judah he said "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." And he did not sleep with her again. Deception and jealousy weaves a web that causes much pain and their consequences are eternal.

In Romans 12 we see God's plan for our life. 1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Sacrificial living is something we all struggle with. For example should I keep my children out late to be involved in the things of God or should I keep them in to do their homework and get to bed early? If we don't invest in the spiritual, the earthly assignments will be impossible to accomplish God's way under our own strength and direction. Making that a priority it is a witness to our children through our actions. Our actions speak louder than our words. in verse 9 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." (NIV) We are to be devoted to each other as the people of God. Then we are instructed to bless those that persecute us and to repay evil with good. God knows what He's doing and being obedient in these areas will always honor Him and bring His people together in a way that will honor our creator.

Tomorrow I would like to read Genesis 39-40; and Romans 13

Gen 33-35; Romans 11:19-36

We see in Genesis 33 an example of how we are to go the second mile to reconcile to our brothers. Jacob had deceived his father and taken advantage of his brother in a weak moment in order to get his birthright. God had already foretold this to Isaac ("the older shall serve the younger)." Jacob first prayed and asked God to have favor on him. He had everything he could ask for but could not have peace without God's favor. He gave him many gifts to make up for the wrong he had caused and went to Esau as his servant.

In chapter 34 we see Hamor trying to make amends for his son Schechem after he had violated Dinah (Jacob's daughter). 11 Then Shechem said to Dinah's father and brothers, 11 "Let me find favor in your eyes, and I will give you whatever you ask. 12 Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I'll pay whatever you ask me. Only give me the girl as my wife."

Genesis 29-30; Romans 10

In Genesis 29 Jacob arrives at Paddan Aram where Laban lives. He was instructed by his father Isaac to go there and take a wife from among his own people. He agreed to work for Laban for seven years for Rachel and at the end of seven years Laban gave him Leah because it was custom to give the oldest daughter first. Jacob agreed to work for another seven years if He could marry Rachel. He ended up married to them and their maidservants and had many children through them. This is one way God fulfilled His covenant with Abraham.

In chapter 30 Laban wanted Jacob to stay and agreed to give him the sheep that were spotted. Jacob works hard and builds a large flock for his family. God gave him wisdom to build a large healthy flock of spotted and stripped sheep. God always gives us wisdom to succeed when we walk in His ways.

In Romans 10 we see righteousness by faith. 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
It is such a to be able to trust the covenants that God has ordained. These hold true for all of us. The scripture tells us that Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Trust God and the same guidance and wisdom that made Jacob successful will be available you. Then you and your house will be saved.

Genesis 25-26; Romans 9:1-15

In Genesis 25 Isaac and Rebecka had two sons Jacob and Esau. God had told them the older will serve younger and we in a weak moment saw Esau trade away his birthright to Jacob.

In chapter 26 we see Jacob and Rebeka being obedient to God and following Him as He told them where to live and blessed the work of their hands. He established Him and others respected and feared God as Jacob was blessed by Him. Even when he dug two wells the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled over, Jacob dug a third well and named it Rehoboth saying, "Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land." But taking advantage of Esau cost him. 34 When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

In Romans 9 God shows us He chooses His children. 8In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring... 14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." God has chosen to bring to Him those who make His son Lord of their life. When we put our life in His hands, He gives us life. Jesus said "Because I live, you also will live." John 14 19(NIV)

Genesis 23 and 24; Romans 8:22-39

In Genesis 23 we experience the death of Sarah who was Abraham's wife. Abraham mourned for her and petitioned the people of Canaan for a burial site for her. They showed Him honor by selling it to him and by giving Him a fair price.

In chapter 24 we see Abraham providing a wife to his son Isaac to comfort him from his own people. God had promised to do that and God provided as Abraham trusted His word. Abraham's servant also trusted God and prayed specifically for a girl to come and offer him water and his camels and Rebecka did just that. The family believed God and Rebecka understood what God was doing and (without even a picture of him) went back became Isaac's wife.

In Romans 8 we see Paul understood they were first fruits. The great thing about the assignment they were given was the blessing they passed on in the faith. We are fruits of their labor. If they were not fruit that produced fruit we would not have the gospel. We are to pass on the word of God and be faithful to Him in all our ways and He will produce a crop of righteousness through us. 8:31 "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" The God who loves us will make all things happen according to His plan and will use all of his riches and power to accomplish through us. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. What more could we ask for?

Genesis 16-17; Romans 6

In chapter 16 we see where Sarai (Sarah) - Abram's (Abraham's) wife Made a decision to give her maidservant Hagar to Abraham to be His wife. She made this decision based on her understanding of God and what she knew she was capable of, not on who God really is and what He is capable of. This decision brought them much pain. Even though their decision was made by sight and not by faith, God still pursued them and restored them. God named Ishmael wile He was still in the womb, and knew what kind of man He would be and the relationship He would have in the family. The decision affected generations to come and when Abraham was 86 Ishmael was born to them.

In chapter 17 the Lord appeared to Abram and said "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers." He fell face down. He was now 99 years old and we see Him believing God and that day he responded in obedience and his descendants to God's covenants. God knows what he is doing no matter what phase of life we are in. As we respond in faith, then we see the miracle God has in mind.

In Romans 6 we see life in Christ verses death in sin. God is the master of our life and we are to take the position of the servant and serve Him with the things we used to serve the world. We are to use these things for good and God will show us a whole new area of service. He will not eliminate us but restore us and bring to our remembrance everything He has said to you and His original call on your life. He also knows us intimately and as we obey, God leads us to a greater understanding of Him and His intentions. John the Baptist's ministry only lasted 6 months. Is there a limit to what God can do? He said I will do even greater things through you. "It's not the length of time but the quality of your obedience." (Henry Blackaby) 6:22 "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." He looks for a heart that does not overlook disobedience but is willing to be redeemed and restored. You cannot recover what could have been but can take hold of what's going to be.

Genesis 7-9; Romans 3

In Genesis 7 we see the Lord following through on His decision to flood the earth. In Genesis 6:6 "The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain." Noah was the only one on earth that found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Gen 6:9 tells us about his character - "Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." This is also a huge example for us to follow. All mankind is here today because Noah was faithful in His walk with God. We see God taking the life from everything He created on the face of the earth that was left behind.

In chapter 8 we see the Lord remembering Noah in the ark. He sends a wind, dries the earth and delivers them safely on dry ground. This whole process (the flood and receding of the waters) took a year and ten days. We then see Noah offering burnt offerings to the Lord. This pleased the lord and He vowed to never again destroy all living creatures as He had done. 22 "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

In chapter 9 He instituted that covenant with the rainbow as a sign that sealed the covenant and reminded both God and man of these things. 17 So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth."

In Romans 3 we see Jesus was the answer to the covenant between God and man. Man cannot do this on our own because of the condition of our heart. We want to have a Godly relationship with Him and everyone else, but it takes a changed heart in order to not grieve God. Gen 6:5 "The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time." Christ comes in and changes our heart to desire the things of the Lord. His spirit dwells in us and gives us a new life that reflects His image. Romans 3:28 "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law."
8:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." That means He acted on our behalf as the one who would turn aside God's wrath at the same time removing our sin and giving us life. We see God's desire for a covenant relationship with man realized through Jesus Christ His Son and our desire for a relationship with the father made complete through the Son.