Genesis 35-37

We begin in Genesis 35 with God telling Jacob to go reside in Bethel to build an altar to God. Jacob was listening and obedient. He told His family and friends to get rid of all false gods and jewelry that they had worn that they had worn in honor of any other god. This is where God first revealed himself to Him while He was running from His brother. They were obedient, worshiped God as He instructed and God blessed them for their obedience. He showed Jacob what His blessings for Jacob were. I believe God knew Rachael was about to die in childbirth and His father would die next. God knew Jacob needed to know Him more to get through that without rocking His faith. We should always work on knowing God more because we do not know what tomorrow holds. He will prepare us for what is ahead if we will grow in Him.

We then see the life Esau (also called Edom) and his descendants. God had blessed, and their possessions were so abundant that they had to move away so the land would support their livestock. We see Esau had a full life and many descendants even though He had given His birthright to his brother. God will restore things in our life. He made Him onto a nation of the Edomites. When He was reunited with His brother He was not resentful or bitter. I think forgiveness is key to our blessing. What is God doing in your life? He loves you and has a plan.

Then we see how jealousy brought much grief to Jacob's family. God gave Joseph dreams and His whole family could not believe He would rule over Him. His brothers were already upset that their father loved Him more, and then there was that coat of many colors. Reuben did talk them out of killing him, but He did join in by selling Him into slavery. Then they lied to their father by faking His death and Jacob has one more thing to mourn.

Do you think our deception and plans made without God grieves Him? They will always bring hurt to our lives. God knows sin hurts those He loves and their loved ones. He has blessings in store and will always bless those who will give Him thier hearts.

Dan Holley