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?

March 3 -- "The Fear of His Father"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 31

"The Fear of His Father"

Today's reading is part of the story of Jacob and Laban, his father-in-law. In this verse, Jacob and Laban make a covenant with each other, in which they agree to stop being adversaries and to live in peace.

Jacob and Laban call upon the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor (Laban's father) to be the judge between them and to ensure that their covenant is kept. Both Jacob and Laban swear by the God they worship, and they make a pact at the heap of stones, which was likely a pile of stones that they built as a physical marker of their agreement.

This passage is an example of the concept of a "covenant" in the Bible, which is an agreement or promise between two parties, often made in the presence of God as a witness. This covenant between Jacob and Laban is a sign of their willingness to put aside their differences and to live in peace and harmony.

This is now the second time that Jacob has used the phrase, "the fear of my father." In this context, he is using it as a name for God, synonymous with "Yahweh." He is making it clear that the God who is confirming their covenant is the very-same God who Isaac "feared." The believer’s "fear of God" is his/her reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” This reverence and awe are exactly what the fear of God means for Christians.

Jacob acknowledged Isaac's reverence and awe for Yahweh. So much so, that he used the phrase "the Fear of my father" as a name for God.

March 2 -- "The God Who Remembers"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 30

"The God Who Remembers"

In the Bible, God is often described as remembering His promises and the people He cares about. The idea of God remembering is a way of expressing God's faithfulness and his ongoing concern for his people.

For example, in Exodus 2:24-25, God remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and sees the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt. He hears their cries for help and decides to intervene on their behalf.

Similarly, in Isaiah 49:15-16, God says, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me." This passage communicates that God's love and care for his people is so strong that he will never forget them, and that they are always on his mind.

In Genesis 30:22, God remembered Rachel and opened her womb, which is seen as a sign of God's faithfulness and care for her. Rachel had waited a long time before she became pregnant. She likely became frustrated and impatient during this time and perhaps had even given up on her desire to be a mom.

When the Bible talks about God remembering, it is expressing the idea that God is faithful and compassionate, and that He keeps His promises and takes care of those who put their trust in Him. He will not (actually, cannot) forget you or the promises He has made to you. So, don't get frustrated and impatient during the "waiting time." God will remember you and your situation in His perfect timing.

He has "engraved you" on the palms of His hands and He will not forget!

March 1 -- "Time Flies When You're in Love"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 29

"Time Flies When You're in Love"

Today's verse is referring to this time period of seven years that Jacob served Laban to marry Rachel. Despite the arduous labor, Jacob's love for Rachel made the time pass quickly for him. This is an example of how love can make difficult or trying times seem less so, and it is also seen as an expression of Jacob's deep love for Rachel.

Love can make difficult or trying times seem less so because it provides a sense of emotional support and connection to someone else. When we are going through a difficult time, it can be easy to feel alone and isolated. However, when we have someone that we love and who loves us in return, it can help us to feel more grounded and secure. This can make it easier to cope with the challenges we are facing.

One example of this is a couple who is going through a difficult period in their relationship. They may be experiencing financial stress, career setbacks, or other challenges that are putting a strain on their relationship. However, because they love each other, they are able to support and encourage each other through these difficult times. They may talk through their problems, make plans together, and lean on each other for emotional support. This helps them to feel more connected and less alone, even in the face of difficult circumstances. Through their love for each other, the couple is able to weather the storms of life together.

In the same way, our God is a loving and compassionate God who is always present and available to provide support and guidance to those who turn to Him. Jesus often talked about love in the context of God's love for humanity, and the love that believers should have for God and for others. Jesus' teachings on love can be seen as a reminder that love is at the heart of our relationship with God and with others. Love is central to Jesus' message and it is a vital aspect of the Christian life. He teaches that through His love, we too can discover that our years on Earth may "seem like days" because of the great love relationaship between us and our God.

February 28 -- "I Will Finish What I've Started"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 28

"I Will Finish What I've Started"

Today's verse is part of a promise made by God to Jacob as he sets out on a journey to find a wife. It is God's reminder that He is always with us, guiding and protecting us on our journey, whatever that may be. It highlights the idea that God is always present, and that He will never leave us or forsake us, which is a great comfort and reassurance. It also reminds us that God is faithful to his promises and He will fulfill them. He will always finish what He has started!

We are not alone in our journey! We can trust in God's presence and protection wherever we go. So, trust in God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises to you, even when things may be difficult or uncertain. Remind yourself that God is with you and will guide you, and that He will bring you safely to the place He has promised us.

Additionally, this verse can remind us to stay obedient to God's plan for our lives, and to seek to honor Him in all that we do. God's presence and protection are not only for our physical safety, but also for our spiritual well-being. By obeying God, we can trust that He will guide us and protect us on the path He has for us.

Jesus confirms God's promise when He teaches that He is always with his followers, and that He will guide and protect them. In Matthew 28:20 Jesus said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." This passage reinforces the idea that God's presence and protection are always with us, no matter the circumstances.

God will not leave you until He has done all that He promised you! "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

February 27 -- "Fatness of the Earth"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 27

"Fatness of the Earth"

This verse is part of a blessing given by Isaac, to Jacob, his son. It is a blessing of prosperity, asking God to provide Jacob with the necessities of life, including fertile land, bountiful crops, and an abundance of food and drink. It is also a reminder that God is the provider of all good things, and that we can trust Him to provide for our needs.

This blessing reminds us to trust God to provide for our needs, both physically and spiritually. We can pray for God's provision in our lives and trust that He will give us what we need. It can also remind us to be thankful for the blessings we have, and to share them with others.

Jesus did not specifically pronounce a blessing of prosperity on anyone's life as Isaac did for Jacob. Jesus' teachings focus primarily on spiritual blessings and the importance of seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, rather than material wealth or prosperity. However, Jesus did teach about God's provision and blessings, and encouraged people to trust in God to provide for their needs.

For example, Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Here, Jesus teaches us that we shouldn't be anxious about our needs, because God will provide for us. He reminds us to trust in God's provision and blessings, and that He will take care of us. Jesus also encourages us to put God and his kingdom first, and to trust that all other needs will be met.