Time for Action

Reading 15: Exodus 3

I'm not sure that my first response to a burning bush would be to rush over and look at it. I'm pretty sure, I'd have panicked probably thinking of ways I could put the fire out. But Moses rushes over to this miraculous bush, and recieves a direct and personal word from God.

What are the "burning bushes" in my life? What miraculous signs has God placed around me that I am running away from? I don't think my instinct to run is limited to physical fire. I often run away from spiritual fire, emotional fire,...anything that has the capacity to burn or hurt me.

But what if instead of running away, I did like Moses and ran towards it? Think of all the possibilities that this "burning bush" holds! I think that in every 'burning bush' we will hear a direct and personal word from the Lord, but too often we are running away, afraid of getting hurt.

A Long Forgiveness

Reading 14: Genesis 45

Joseph forgave his brothers. A long hard road that eventually led him to the top of the local economy, and he just forgave them.

Joseph chose the higher road in his situation. He was able to see the bigger picture, the picture that involved God weaving the details together. He was able be objective in his situation.

In the passing of time in my own life, am I taking an objective view? It's rather helpful, in taking a look at the whole of my life and "connecting the dots" of how God has pieced together His story in my life's events.

Behind the Scenes

Reading 13: Genesis 41

I sit eating beef stew for dinner, with no thought or concern as to where my next meal will come from. People in Gaza tonight, have no such luxury. Famine and distress are as real today as they were then.

Pharaoh was warned in a dream, interpreted by Joseph, and acted accordingly. It's another lesson for me on how when God speaks into my life, what is my response? Am I slow to act? Do I rationalize non-action? Or do I comply with the desires of my God?

Part that stuck out to me today was that Joseph was shaved and given new clothes (vs. 14) before coming before Pharoah, and then presented with new clothes and new jewelry. It's important to prepare for the role we will play in God's plan...

Family Battles

Reading 12: Genesis 37

Joseph's brothers are not nice people. I don't know if it's disturbing or reassuring that many families in Scripture are seemingly far more dysfunctional than my own....I've never plotted to kill my brother...well, I never went through on anything.............

It's interesting that 2 brothers tried to "save" Joseph from certain doom, but neither was willing to stand up to the rest of them.

Reuben suggested just throwing him in the well, rather than out and out killing him. And he came back to rescue him....but where was he when they decided to sell him??

Then Judah decides it's best not to leave him for dead in the well (not knowing Reuben's plan) so persuades the mob to sell him to the Ishmaelites.

When faced with a group of people who are obviously doing something wrong, do I stand up for what it right? Or do I mask good choices through misled understandings? Do I simply try to persuade the group to make a lesser evil choice?

Something Undeserved

Reading 11: Genesis 28

The story continues. This is quite the dysfunctional family...

Isaac blesses Jacob once more (odd...maybe he wasn't as upset with being tricked as previously thought, otherwise why bless him a second time??) and tells him to marry a daughter of his uncle Laban. (ewww..but completely acceptable in the time frame)

There is a quick shot of how Esau really prefers to please his parents rather than frustrate them. After hearing that his father dislikes Canaanite women, he goes out and marries another wife that happens to not be Canaanite (and also happens to be a relative...).

Jacob makes a vow to God that starts with 'IF'. "If God does _________, then He will be my God." If? Can one really make demands of God? Is it safe to give God ultimatums? Unfortunately I know I do it all the time. A lot of my "promises to God" begin with "If...".

I think that the stories of the OT tend to allow for a chance to 'bargain' with God. We see in person after person this thread of making covenants with conditions. Covenants that are truly attempts at upholding the original Abrahamic covenant.

Hmmmm....so, in my own life, what am I bargaining with God about?

Jacob gets the blesssing

Reading 10: Genesis 27

There is a GREAT Liz Curtis Higgs novel series based on this very story. If you've not read, I strong recommend it. Find information here.

Jacob steals the blessing. Honestly, in our modern society and my cultural understanding, I've never completely understood why Isaac couldn't just take back his blessing and give it to the son it was intended for...but that's not the point.

Jacob does only what his mother tells him, and ends up alienating himself from his entire family. But what a blessing to steal!

May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness—

an abundance of grain and new wine.

May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you.

Be lord over your brothers,

and may the sons of your mother bow down to you.

May those who curse you be cursed

and those who bless you be blessed.

Final Exam

Reading 9: Genesis 22

Both times that the Lord called to Abraham there was an immediate response of "Here I am." Both times. Even at the point when he had the knife in the air and was prepared to do as God had commanded him earlier, he paused to respond to God's call.

When God calls into my life is there an immediate response? Am I quick to say 'Here I am', or "Just a minute..." "Let me finish this one last thing..."

These past two readings have contained two very different responses to God when He speaks into your life. Lot hesitated and bargained. Abraham responded, obeyed, and was blessed.

May I always remember to obey and be blessed...so I may fulfill God's covenant with Abraham and bless others;

"I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."