March 10 -- "When Others Commit My Sins"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 38

"When Others Commit My Sins"

Tamar's husband, Er, died before he could father any children with Tamar. According to custom at the time, Tamar was to marry the next son of Judah, Onan, but he also died. To ensure that Tamar would have descendants and her deceased husband's family line would continue, Judah promised to give Tamar to his third son Shelah when he came of age. However, Judah broke this promise and did not give Shelah to Tamar.

Tamar, feeling that her rights were being violated, disguised herself as a prostitute and propositioned Judah, who did not recognize her. She became pregnant with twins as a result of their encounter. When Judah discovered that Tamar was pregnant, he condemned her to be burned for committing adultery. However, Tamar revealed that she was carrying Judah's children, and Judah acknowledged that she had acted more righteously than he had.

Judah, like many of us, was quick to jump into a judgmental attitude. It has been said, "Oh how bad our sins look when someone else commits them." This saying exposes one of the darker tendencies of our human nature - the tendency to judge the actions of others more harshly than we judge our own actions.

Matthew 7:1-5: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

James 4:11-12: "Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"

These verses and others like them emphasize the importance of avoiding judgment and condemnation of others, and instead focusing on one's own actions and behaviors. All of us are capable of sinning and making mistakes, and it is not up to us to condemn others but rather to show compassion, forgiveness, and love.

March 9 -- "Hated for a Dream"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 37

"Hated for a Dream"

Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and was Jacob's favorite. His brothers observed Jacob's overt favoritism and they resented Joseph for it. Then, Joseph had a dream in which he saw his brothers bowing down to him, which made them angry and more resentful - to the point of hatred.

This verse can be seen as a lesson about the dangers of envy and jealousy, as Joseph's brothers became even more resentful of him after he shared his dream with them. Their hatred eventually culminated in the act of selling him into slavery. 

Whatever Joseph's imperfections, he did not merit what his brothers did to him.

Jesus once told a parable about a vineyard owner who gave equal wages to workers who worked different hours (Matthew 20:1-16). This parable highlights the importance of being content with what one has and not being envious of others' blessings or accomplishments. Repeatedly in the Gospels, He taught His followers to overcome negative emotions such as envy and jealousy and to cultivate love, compassion, and forgiveness instead.

On the flipside, this can also serve as a reminder to be cautious of how our actions and words may be perceived by others. Proverbs 29:11 says, "A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back." Perhaps Joseph would have been wise to quietly hold back the telling of his dream, or at least find a way to share it in a less offensive way. All of us need to cultivate the ability to hold our tongue and speak wisely and kindly to others.

March 8 -- "Esau is Edom"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 36

"Esau is Edom"

Esau's decision to settle in Seir allowed him to establish a new life and a legacy separate from his twin brother Jacob. This helped to shape his identity and the identity of Edom as a distinct people and nation. This decision sealed the separation between Jacob and Esau, marking the distinction between the covenant-people of God (Jacob, the Israelites) and those outside the covenant (Esau, the Edomites).

The outcome of Esau settling in Seir was the establishment of the land and people of Edom. Located on the east side of the Arabah, this ancient land bordering ancient Israel, in what is now southwestern Jordan, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. Over time, Edom developed into a distinct and powerful kingdom, with its own culture, traditions, and political power.

From this point forward, Edom is often mentioned as a rival and sometimes an enemy of Israel in the Bible. Despite this, the two nations maintained a complex and sometimes cooperative relationship, with periods of peace as well as conflict. Later on, both Saul and David fought against the Edomites, with David conquering them and forcing them into labor

Genesis 36:8 not only provides a historical context for the geography and people of Edom, but also highlights the lasting impact of our choices and decisions. Esau's decision to settle in Seir had far-reaching consequences, not just for himself, but for future generations as well. This verse serves as a reminder that our actions and choices have the power to shape our lives, as well as the lives of those around us, for better or for worse.

March 7 -- "Beth-El: House of God"

  Today's Reading:  Genesis 35

"Beth-El: House of God"

The story of Jacob naming the place where he had the vision of God as "Beth-el" ("Beth" meaning "house" combined with "El" meaning God, thus "House of God") highlights the significance of recognizing and acknowledging moments of divine encounter in our lives. Just as Jacob named the place where he encountered God, we too can identify the places, circumstances, or experiences where we feel closest to God, and acknowledge them as sacred and meaningful to us.

In practical terms, this can involve setting aside time for prayer, reflection, and worship, or even creating a physical space in your home or community that serves as a reminder of your connection to God. It can also mean actively seeking out opportunities to encounter God in new ways, such as through reading Scripture, serving others, or participating in church ministries.

By doing so, we can deepen our relationship with God and experience a greater sense of peace, purpose, and guidance in our lives. Whether it's through moments of quiet contemplation or acts of service, the goal is to cultivate a sense of God's presence in all aspects of our lives, and to acknowledge and honor that presence in meaningful ways.

March 6 -- "Tit for Tat"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 34

"Tit for Tat"

The verse from Genesis 34:13 highlights an important aspect of human behavior and the consequences of our actions: a concept of revenge known as "tit for tat" - the infliction of an injury or insult in return for one that someone has suffered. In this instance, Dinah had been defiled, or violated, by Shechem, the local prince. Shechem certainly deserved to be punished for his heinous act, but the sons of Jacob go about it in the wrong way. They used deceit and violence to retaliate against Shechem and his father Hamor. Jesus taught us to leave the retaliation to the Lord. In Matthew 5:38-39 He said, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, don't react violently against the one who is evil."

The sons of Jacob retaliated with deceit and violence. They were not just angry, they wanted to take down the whole city. They weren't strong enough to fight them, so they came up with a sneaky plan to ambush the inhabitants when they were weak. The Shechemites were unable to defend themselves and it became a brutal massacre instead of a victory. This increased the wickedness of Jacob's sons, who only cared about satisfying their anger.

This serves as a warning against the use of deceit and dishonesty in our dealings with others. It shows that deceitful actions can lead to conflict and violence, and ultimately, harm both the deceiver and the deceived. In the end, Jacob's sons' actions led to an escalation of the tensions between the Israelites and Schechemites, as violence and war continued to increase.

The Bible teaches that individuals who inflict pain on others should - and will - face consequences for their actions. This can be seen in both Old and New Testament passages. People will experience the consequences of their actions, both good and bad, either in this life thorough appropriate legal action or ultimately when they face their Maker at the Great White Throne.

This verse also shows that God doesn't try to hide or cover up the imperfections and sinfulness of those He has chosen. The Bible characters weren't perfect - far from it. This gives hope and encouragement to all of us, knowing that God chooses us and calls us despite the failures in our lives. Our amazing God accepts us unlovable people and loves us anyway!

 

March 5 -- "El-Elohe-Israel"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 33

"El-Elohe-Israel"

In Genesis 33, Jacob has a reunion with his brother Esau who he had previously cheated and ran away from. In this chapter, Jacob sends gifts ahead to Esau and meets him with his family and possessions. Esau, who had previously held a grudge against Jacob, forgave him and they reconciled. After this meeting, Jacob and his family settled in the land of Canaan.

The verse Genesis 33:20 specifically talks about an altar that Jacob built in the land of Canaan after he settled there. The verse says that he "erected there an altar" and "called it El-Elohe-Israel." The act of building an altar was a common practice in the ancient Near East as a way to worship and offer sacrifices to God.

The naming of the altar "El-Elohe-Israel" is significant as it highlights Jacob's recognition of God as the God of Israel. El-Elohe-Israel means "God, the God of Israel." El can also be understood to mean “Almighty” or “mighty”, thus giving us the translation “the mighty God of Israel.” This shows that Jacob is not only acknowledging the existence of God, but also acknowledging that God has a special relationship with the Israelites and is their God.

By placing this altar on his own land and giving it this distinctive name, Jacob is declaring that the God he once referred to as "the God of Abraham and Isaac" is now his God as well. Thus, Jacob announces that his ancestors' God is now also the God of "Israel" (the name given to Jacob by the Angel of the Lord). He is henceforth known as "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

What a blessed transition! From knowing about your parents' God, to knowing Him yourself and declaring that He is yours. Every Christian parent hopes and prays that this day will come for his/her children - the day when they announce that their parents' God is now theirs. What a blessed transition it is.

March 4 -- "Israel: A Divine Transformation"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 32

"Israel: A Divine Transformation" 

Following their nighttime wrestling match, the angel of the Lord tells Jacob that his name will no longer be Jacob (meaning "deceiver"), but will now be "Israel", which means "he who struggles with God" or "he who is governed by God." This change of name reflects Jacob's experience of wrestling with God and with men, and his ultimate victory.

In this story, Jacob wrestled with the angel, who represented God. This wrestling match is understood as a spiritual struggle, where Jacob grapples with his own inadequacies and his sense of unworthiness, and God's power and grace. The wrestling match symbolizes Jacob's spiritual transformation, and how through his struggles, he is able to face his fears and overcome them as he submits himself to the Lord.

The significance of Jacob's new name, Israel, is that it represents a change in his identity, from a deceiver to a person who strives with and is now governed by God. This is a transformation from a man who is focused on himself, to a man who is focused on God.

Just like Jacob, every Christ-follower is called to struggle with God and with themselves, as they seek to understand their own inadequacies and their need for God's grace. This process of struggling and wrestling with God is often referred to as the "Christian walk" or "spiritual growth."

Christians are called to take on the identity of "Christ-follower" or "disciple" of Jesus, which means to strive to follow and be governed by Jesus in their thoughts, words and actions. This implies a change of mind, heart and behavior, a new way of living. In the Bible, transformation means “change or renewal from a life that conforms to the ways of the world to one that pleases God.”

Just like Jacob, each one of us must learn “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

What will be your new name?