GENESIS:
A DEVOTIONALS STUDY
by Max Frazier, Jr.

Lessons On Living
from Abraham
Devotionals
Woodrow Kroll
Freely distributed by Back To The Bible
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(Copyright Back to the Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved)

MY UTMOST
FOR HIS HIGHEST
Oswald Chambers

Today
in the Word
Genesis
Moody Bible Institute

See below for MBI devotionals
on these passages in Genesis
(Copyright Moody Bible Institute. Used by permission. All rights reserved)

Human creativity is often inspired by God’s creativity--creativity is part of His image in us. Creativity is the first of His qualities that we see in action, and it certainly dominates the context of today’s verse. Creativity is also at the core of the first specific task or responsibility God gave to Adam: naming the animals. God brought the animals to him “to see what he would name them” (v. 19). It’s instructive that Adam’s first act of stewardship over creation was imaginative--how much fun he must have had pondering the snail, the ostrich, and the hippopotamus!

Another purpose was to look for a suitable partner for Adam, but none could be found in the animal kingdom. So God made Eve from one of the man’s ribs, and Adam had one more name to give. For the first time we hear what it is--“woman”--and learn the reason--because “she was taken out of man” (v. 23). As Adam obediently exercised his linguistic creativity to name the animals and Eve, He reflected the glory of his Creator. After all, God had done a lot of naming or “calling” of things during His work of creation.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY - If you’d like to find out more about the “image of God,” we recommend a short article entitled, “Good Question: Reflected Glory,” by theologian J. I. Packer, from Christianity Today, December 2003. It is available online at this link: Click here.  Packer considers the evidence from Genesis, including Creation and the Fall, and then moves to the New Testament to ask how Christ’s redemption has changed our present and future in this regard.

The two scientists faced several barriers, including that they were supposed to be researching other things, and that Crick was still working on his Ph.D. But they also benefited from other people’s research, in particular an x-ray taken by another scientist which Watson was shown without her knowledge. The two built several models of DNA before finding the right combination, and won the Nobel Prize in 1962.

DNA is at the heart of human genetics. Scientists have been working for many years to peer into the secrets of humanity’s creation, and the more they discover, the better a Designer God turns out to be!

It all begins in today’s reading, with the creation of Adam and Eve: God said, “Let us make man in our image,” a formal pronouncement that signals the importance of the event (Ge 1: 26; cf. Gen. 5:1-2). (“Man” here includes woman, as verse two makes clear.)

We are the zenith of creation. This is not an egotistical statement, but simply what the narrative points to. Genesis 1 traces its way up the ladder from geographical features (land, sea) to plant life, then to animal life, and now finally to humanity, who is assigned rulership over the earth (Ge 1:26). Although we were created on the same day as the animals, this does not imply that we evolved from them. To quote from the previously mentioned Moody doctrinal statement: “The first human beings were a special and unique creation by God as contrasted to being derived from any pre-existing life forms.”

Unlike the animals, we are made in the “image of God” (Ge 1:27). One commentator explains: “Being in God’s image means that humans share, though imperfectly and finitely, in God’s nature, that is, in His communicable attributes (life, personality, truth, wisdom, love, holiness, justice), and so have the capacity for spiritual fellowship with Him.”

TODAY ALONG THE WAY Since every human being on this planet has been created in the image of God, that makes every human life uniquely valuable! In light of this, here are several open-ended questions for you to reflect on today: Do you look for the image of God in people? Do you see their God-given value? What would change if you treated everyone you met based on this biblical truth? What you do with your answers to these questions is between you and God.

Today, why not write your own psalm of gratitude? Give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and love to you! In imitation of Psalm 136, begin with praise and worship based in the created world.

Genesis 2 speaks of the choice between two trees, and here, as in the poem, we see the haunting consequences of a single choice. Adam and Eve were free to eat from any tree in the garden, except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Any tree, including the Tree of Life (Genesis 2:16-17). Both trees stood in the middle of the beautiful garden in which God had placed them (Genesis 2:9). Why, then, did they not choose to eat of the Tree of Life? Why did they choose the forbidden Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?

This tree promised to give them, according to the serpent, God-like knowledge. If they ate of it, they would become “like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). The appeal to pride was strong: Eve saw that it was “desirable for gaining wisdom,” as well as “good for food and pleasing to the eye” (Genesis 3:6). This tree would give them, she thought, nourishment, pleasure, power, greater understanding, and increased status. She and Adam could break their dependence on the Creator and become independent, knowing things for themselves without His input. They could be moral judges. They could be “free.”

Every day we, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, have a choice: to eat from the Tree of Life, or to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Will it be Christian fellowship or a Sunday morning sleep-in? Ongoing, inward fellowship with Jesus or ongoing, inward criticism of self and others?

Examine yourself before the Lord today concerning your own patterns and habits in the area of work and rest. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you about any changes you need to make in your attitudes or actions.

On the other hand, almost half the population was willing to say the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and about one-quarter claimed to read it at least once a week. Virtually every household owns at least one Bible.

These poll results display confusion in Americans’ attitudes toward Scripture. Our goal this month is to give you fresh perspective and passion in your interaction with God’s Word. Though composed of 66 books, the Bible tells a single story, the story of God’s mercy--“The Greatest Story Ever Told.” This contrasts with the feeling many may have that the Bible is a series of familiar but loosely connected stories told in Sunday School.

In general, we’ve chosen for our study well-known narrative passages arranged in chronological order through Scripture. Because God’s Word reveals His glory, we might have chosen worship as our theme. But we’ve chosen God’s mercy as our main theme because this characterizes His dealings with humanity.

Our story begins with creation, specifically with the creation of Adam and Eve. God was intimately involved in this process (cf. Ps. 139:13-16 - Spurgeon's notes). He didn’t just speak them into being; instead, he formed Adam from the earth and Eve from one of Adam’s ribs. He made them in His own image. Gently and powerfully, He breathed into them the breath of life.

In your personal prayer time this New Year’s Day, praise God for the glory and unity of His sovereign plan as revealed in Scripture. Thank Him for His love and mercy to you personally, and for His desire for a close relationship with you. The Lord of the universe is also your Shepherd!

Jesus came down on the side of Shammai, and His answer goes back to creation. “Haven’t you read . . . ?” This inquiry must have tweaked their scholarly noses. He quoted some verses from Genesis, reminding them that God created humanity and He intended two people--one man and one woman--to be united together as one. “Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matt. 19:1-12).

Jesus’ teaching on marriage and divorce is rooted in the creation narrative. This is the final lesson or principle we’ll consider from Genesis: God’s original design for marriage.

Genesis 2 focuses on and retells with more details God’s creation of humanity. Adam was “formed”--the Hebrew verb suggests pottery--from the dust of the ground, and God gave him the “breath of life” (Genesis 2:7). He placed the first man in a special setting, Eden; gave him special tasks: gardening and giving names to the animals (Genesis 2:15, 20); and laid down a special rule: not eating from the tree of knowledge (Genesis 2:17).

God observed that it was “not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18), for practical and emotional reasons (such as procreation and companionship). That no “suitable helper” (Genesis 2:20) could be found emphasizes the uniqueness of both man and woman. To remedy this lack, God made Eve out of one of Adam’s ribs (Genesis 2:22)--so today’s verse is quite literal!

If you wish, go even further and make this a prayer focus throughout the day. To help yourself remember, you might carry with you all day a physical prompt, such as an apple or another piece of fruit. Having this in your pocket or on your desk can serve as a concrete reminder of how serious the question of obedience or disobedience truly is.

In other words, God reveals that the climax of His creation, humanity, is worth saving. This doesn’t mean that we somehow deserve this great gift; instead, it shows the depths of God’s grace and mercy.

How has He shown mercy to you? We were all sinners deserving death before Christ stepped in, so we should all be able to give many examples. Today, share with someone a personal testimony of a specific way in which God has been merciful to you. Share it with a nonbeliever—you might attract them to the Lord. Or share it with a believer—you can rejoice and glorify God together!

When we consider the purpose for which we are created-to join in the eternal worship of the triune God-Genesis 4 is painful to read. This account can be hard to understand. It seems as if Abel and Cain brought similar offerings to the Lord and that the Lord accepted one offering and rejected the other, for apparently no good reason. In fact, people sometimes look toward this passage to claim that God is capricious. But a closer look at the text reveals the opposite.

First, notice that Genesis 4:3 tells us that Cain brought “some of the fruits of the soil” to the Lord. We have no indication what the quality of this produce was; we certainly have no hint that it was the best of the harvest. Now, notice that verse 4 tells us that Abel brought the “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.” The fat portions were the best pieces of meat. Additionally, the firstborn always indicated something prized. In other words, Abel gave the best he had, and Cain offered whatever he was willing to spare.

Notice that the Fall didn’t destroy worship; instead, it was now possible for worship to become horribly misdirected. But God’s favor can never be earned by anything we offer to Him. Instead, true worship helps us cleanse our imaginations and focus our minds on God’s majesty and beauty.

The original Noah's Ark was a merciful provision from God. Sin had come to dominate the story of humanity: “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” (6:5). Since God hates sin, He was happy to dish out punishment, right? Not exactly. “The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain” (6:5-6). He must judge sin, but He loves us so much that it hurts Him to do so.

Once again, this story sounds the twin notes of judgment and mercy. God would punish sin with a Flood that would wipe out all human and animal life, but He would save a remnant. That remnant was Noah and his family. As a righteous man, Noah contrasted strongly with the people of his generation. He walked with God as a friend, and God shared His plans with him, telling him to build a large boat and put on board a zoo of animal species—a kind of ancient DNA library! Noah obeyed in faith (Ge 6:22; cf. Heb. 11:7). God sent the animals, everyone got on board, and He Himself shut the door. Then it began to rain. What a sobering picture of the extinction of life on earth, an appalling outworking of the punishment of death.

One aspect of our purpose as Christians is to live in light of the Second Coming of Christ. Peter said that people who don't accept the truth of Jesus' return are as badly off as those who were skeptical about Noah's warnings about the imminent Flood (see notes 2 Peter 3:3; 3:4; 3:5; 3:6; 3:7)!

As we can see in today's reading, God takes sin very seriously indeed. Do we? Too often many of us do not include confession as a regular part of our prayer lives. Too often we think only red-letter sins need confessing. Our consciences are simply not tender enough. Today, confess your sins before the Lord. Let His Holy Spirit examine and convict you. Pray with the attitude of David, who said, “I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin” (Ps. 38:18 - Spurgeon's note).

When finished, the dam created an enormous reservoir three hundred miles long and ten miles wide. The project was completed in 1970, shortly before Nasser’s death, and the lake was named in his honor.

Noah also knew about massive building projects!

Human history had gone sour since the Fall. God saw corruption and violence everywhere (Ge 6:5-6). Though judgment was needed, He first took the initiative to make a creation-saving covenant with Noah, one which would preserve both human and natural life (v. 18; cf. Gen. 9:1-17). What made Noah different? He was righteous and blameless. He walked with God (v. 9). To maintain righteousness in the midst of such an evil time, he must have walked closely indeed!

God gave Noah unbelievable instructions-to build a boat like no one had ever seen before, in a landlocked place where it would appear to be of no use. The reason for building it was even more incredible-all living things would soon perish (v. 17). Furthermore, it’s possible that it had never rained before. Indications are that a somewhat different ecological system was at work before the Flood (compare Gen. 2:5-6 with 7:11).

If possible today, go to a large, open area. Pace or measure off the dimensions of Noah’s Ark as given in Scripture. Most translations have converted “cubits” to feet for your convenience.

Noah and his family didn’t need an oasis of water; they were looking for an oasis of land. The olive branch plucked from a living tree after the ravages of the flood promised such an oasis.

While initially the dove “could find no place to set its feet” (v. 9), the second time it returned with the leaf, a sign of the water’s recession below the tree-line. The third time it departed for good. After a good half year of floating on water, a leaf signaled the stability of life on land and God’s deliverance of Noah and his family from the flood. Just think how joyful they were to see that leaf!

The olive leaf also symbolizes a renewal of life. God destroyed the face of the earth by the flood, and here was a fresh leaf, a sign of new life growing in the chastened world. God in His goodness did not return Noah’s family to a barren wasteland, but to a land of new growth. This is a good lesson for us to remember when God disciplines us. What awaits us afterward isn’t aridity but renewal of life.

Can you imagine what life would be like without the pattern of seasons? Thank God for ordering the seasons this fall: for seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night. Make a point this September to acknowledge God’s ordering of the seasons as good. If you or someone you know is in a time of “flood,” a loss of an established pattern and order in life, pray for an olive leaf to be given to them, a promise of coming stability and structure. And thank God for the protection He offers us during these times of tumult and storms.

In a similar way, in today's reading Noah used two birds to scout for him and his family. The rain had stopped, but was it safe yet to emerge from the Ark? First he sent a raven, but a raven is a strong bird that could fly a long time without alighting. So he sent a dove, which on its second try returned with an olive leaf—nowhere to land, but evidence of plant life. The third time the dove didn't return, and Noah knew it was safe to come out, which God confirmed. From start to finish, they had been in the Ark about a year.

Noah built an altar in grateful thanks and worship to the Lord. Pleased with this attitude, God pledged never to wipe out life in this way again (Ge 8:21-22). Because Noah was a sort of “new Adam,” God also issued a renewed His Creation-style blessing and mandate to all the survivors, including people and animals, though now the relationship between the two would be changed (Ge 9:2-3). God designated the rainbow as a sign of this fresh start, His promise, and His covenant. Rainbows may have been a new environmental phenomenon; and clearly they were invested here with a profound significance. Every time we see one in the sky we should remember God's mercy to us.

The cycle of sin and judgment could have gone on indefinitely. No amount of “New Year's resolutions” or “moral fiber” could have helped us escape our sinfulness, and so we would richly have deserved any number of Floods or similar punishments. Genesis 1-9 could have kept repeating, over and over. But God took the gracious initiative to break the cycle. He had better things in store!

Like Noah sending out birds from the Ark, perhaps you are in a period of waiting in your life. You may be waiting to see what God will do, or where He will lead. You can rest secure in the confidence that He also uses these waiting times in our lives. Look at the situation as an opportunity to grow in patience, which is part of the fruit of the Spirit. “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly” (Pr 14:29).

Rainbows appear in association with many representations of the New Age movement--on merchandise such as troll dolls and crystal pendants, on posters advertising “concerts for world peace,” and so on.

The idea seems to be that rainbows inspire thoughts of peace, happiness, or good fortune. They stand for a bright future in which people will have come through the “storm” of modern problems and begun to build a New Age utopia inhabited by enlightened, generous, mystical individuals.

The rainbow does possess a significance that lies deep in the memory of the human race. But it has nothing to do with New Age dreams. The reason for its symbolic force is that it stands for God’s covenant with Noah and with all creation, as seen in today’s reading.

The worldwide Flood had ended, the waters had receded, and life was about to start anew. God had preserved not only human beings, but also two of every kind of animal (cf. Gen. 6:19-21) with which to repopulate the earth.

The basis for this fresh start is a new covenant, symbolized in the apparently new phenomenon of the rainbow. The parties to this covenant include every creature that had been on the Ark, in addition to Noah and his family. This is the only time in Scripture that animals are explicitly mentioned as participating in a covenant.

Why are they listed? The Flood had been universal, affecting the whole of the created world. So the promise that there would never be such a flood again (Genesis 9:11, 15) is likewise a promise to all of creation, “an everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth” (Genesis 9:16; cf. note Revelation 5:13).

How much does God love creation? “God so loved the world”--the word used here is cosmos, meaning all of creation (see January 7)--“that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God’s love is revealed in Jesus Christ!

In today's reading, Abram also made an amazing journey. He left behind his home culture and everything he knew. By leaving his father's household, he may have also forfeited his right to an inheritance. He didn't even know his destination—all he had to go on was the character and promise of God. But for Abram, that was enough and the 75-year-old stepped out on faith. Earlier their family had moved from Ur to Haran; then after his father's death Abram set out again and stopped in Canaan, the “promised land” (Ge 12:7).

There he set up an altar and worshiped the Lord. Hebrews 11:8-10 captures his heart: “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents . . . For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Abram's faith is certainly on display here, but God's greatness and worthiness to be trusted are even more so. He made a covenant with Abram, a breathtaking series of promises about what He would do for him. He would make his name great—as opposed to what people attempted at Babel, this is fine if God does it. He would turn one clan into a nation. He would bless and curse those who blessed and cursed His chosen people. And He would make this nation into a blessing for all nations (Ge 12:2-3).

An invaluable companion to your study of Genesis would be a Bible atlas—a book of maps from Bible times that goes beyond what you may have in the back of your Bible. As soon as you can, head off to your local Christian bookstore to obtain one. Or if you're not yet convinced how useful such a tool would be, at least borrow one from your local or church library. We recommend you keep one nearby during your devotional times this month.

Every name in the family line was carefully recorded. A person who was able to use family records to prove some sort of legitimate claim or relationship would have been thankful for such careful record keeping.

God is a careful record-keeper too--every name recorded in the genealogies of His Book is important. We could spend several days tracing the biblical line of descent from Seth all the way to Abraham. That line covered a long time period and some key people, which becomes obvious when you read Genesis 5 and encounter names like Enoch and Noah.

We’re going to pick up the story of God’s righteous line with the patriarch who was called Abram until God changed his name to Abraham (Gen. 17:5). This change is important because it permanently changed the focus of Abraham’s life. The name Abram, “exalted father,” pointed backward to Abram’s heritage, which may have included royalty. But the name Abraham, “father of a multitude,” pointed ahead to this man’s descendants--including Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:16).

You’ll find another key genealogy in Genesis 11:10-26. The names here show the descent of Seth’s righteous line from Noah’s son Shem to Terah, the father of Abram.

Abram’s initial call in Ur isn’t specifically mentioned in Genesis 11. But it’s suggested in the past tense of 12:1, “The Lord had said to Abram” (see also Acts 7:2-4). The family left Ur but then settled in Haran. That, however, was not God’s will for Abram, so he set out for the land God would show him.

God is keeping a book of names, called “the book of life belonging to the Lamb” (see note Revelation 13:8).

Her curiosity grew into genuine seeking. She began to read the Gospels, and after coming to the United States, began to attend an English class based on the Bible. In due time, she trusted Christ as Savior! Says Wayne: “The love of Christ is transforming, and love plays well in every culture.”

From Jerusalem to China-look how far the gospel has spread! Are we surprised? We shouldn’t be. God’s plan of redemption has always included “all peoples on earth” (Ge 12:3). We’ll explore the worldwide scope of God’s plan over the next six days, mostly by looking at relevant Old Testament passages.

In today’s reading, God made a covenant with Abraham. But it wasn’t just for Abraham--He intended Abraham’s faith and obedience to result in blessing for the entire world!

The Lord called Abram to leave everything he knew and set out in faith (cf. notes Romans 4:1; 4:2; 4:3; Heb. 11:8-12). From that faith, God would make a nation (Israel) and bless all nations. Whoever was on Abraham’s side was also on God’s side, and would be blessed as a result (v. 3).

When Abraham received this call, he was getting a “fresh start” at age 75 (he would live to be 175, cf. Gen. 25:7). But he had no son, so from a human point of view God’s promises appeared impossible. Nonetheless, he was obedient, traveled to Canaan, and built an altar to the Lord when he arrived (vv. 7-8). He believed God’s promise and responded with worship.


Too often our perspective on God’s work is limited. A simple tool such as a globe, world map, or atlas can help you broaden your vision of God’s plan. It’s also a great way to start conversations with family or friends. If you don’t already have one of these items, consider obtaining one in the near future.

Abraham knew this and staked his life on God’s promise-keeping faithfulness. The Lord told Abraham that he would be blessed, have many descendants, and become a great nation. Through him, all the peoples of the earth would be blessed-a worldwide plan ultimately fulfilled in Christ (Ge 12:2-3; cf. Gal. 3:6-9).

Abraham didn’t have this historical perspective. What he did have was a command to leave home and go to a foreign country (Ge 12:1). His family had been living in Ur, in what is today southern Iraq. His father, Terah, moved them more than five hundred miles north and east along the Euphrates River, to Haran. Both cities worshiped a moon god, among many other “deities” in whom Terah also believed (see Josh. 24:2). Only by God’s grace could His Word have even reached Abraham in such a setting! And since Haran was located on prosperous caravan trade routes, there was no human reason to leave.

Nonetheless, Abraham obeyed and set out. Only after his arrival in Canaan did God promise him the land, and he responded by building an altar and worshiping (Ge 12:6-7). The “great tree” where this happened was likely a prominent spot for idol worship, meaning that God was making a point and Abraham was taking a stand. This land belonged to the one true God, and it would belong to His people!

One good follow-up to today’s devotional is to read the article by Lewis Smedes mentioned earlier. Entitled CT Classic: Forgiveness—The Power to Change the Past

It’s obvious on this Fourth of July that our country has moved a long way from the ideal John Adams had of worshiping and thanking God on Independence Day. But anytime God grants deliverance to a person, or a nation, it’s an occasion to thank and worship the Lord. Abram in Genesis 15 is a case in point.

Today’s verses describe an independence day for this patriarch who is so crucial to the story of God’s righteous line. God had delivered Abram from the marauding kings who had kidnapped Lot (Gen. 14:1-24). And the Lord made a covenant with Abram, promising him that a new nation would be born from his own child and would live in its own land.

Our primary focus today is on verses 1-6 of Genesis 15, which provide the next bridge connecting the line that leads to God’s Redeemer. Abram received God’s specific promise that a son would be born to him, so he didn’t need to adopt his faithful servant, Eliezer. The promised son was Isaac, who was born years after Abram tried to “help God out” by fathering Ishmael (see tomorrow’s study).

We have an advantage as we read this story, because we have the Bible’s later revelation about what God was planning in the lives of Abraham and Isaac. The apostle Paul referred to Isaac as the son of God’s promise, even though Abraham would have other children, children of promise (see notes Romans 9:7; 9:8; 9:9). Isaac was therefore the “offspring” through whom the promised Redeemer would come.

John Adams’ hope that Independence Day would be observed with “solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty” can still happen

Your guest might be a new family at your church, an international student at a nearby university, or the neighbor over your back fence. Hospitality is a concrete way to show God's love to others. And who knows? You also may entertain angels without knowing it (cf. notes Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:8; 4:9; 10).

Similarly to what you did on January 4, think of a time when you were wrong and God was right, then share that testimony with a friend or family member. By telling one another such stories, we strengthen each other's faith, give God praise . . . and maybe even laugh together!

Medieval Christians thought the Dome was the Temple of Solomon. It is indeed located on the Temple Mount, where Solomon's Temple and its successors stood long ago.

This site is sacred to Jews as well. A large slab of rock under the Dome is the place where tradition says Abraham prepared his son Isaac to be sacrificed. Solomon built the Temple on “Mount Moriah” (2 Chron. 3:1), while God had told Abraham to go to the “region of Moriah” (Gen. 22:2) for the offering of Isaac.

In complete faith, Abraham immediately obeyed, though his emotions must have been churning. Offerings to the Lord seemed to be customary at this time (v. 7), but this occasion was clearly different. Right from verse 1, God's command is shown to be a test of faith (cf. Deut. 8:2) the same central issue as in yesterday's story of Cain and Abel.

Abraham passed the test with flying colors. He trusted God with his only son the miracle child of his old age, the child of promise. He believed that God could resurrect Isaac from the dead if necessary (Heb. 11:17-19). This total submission and obedience to God's commands proved the strength of his faith (Gen. 22:12).

The ram that God provided (Gen. 22:8, 13-14) is Scripture's first mention of a substitutionary sacrifice. The ram, as well as Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son and his belief in the possibility of resurrection for Isaac, links today's reading with Christ.

Abraham's faith versus Cain's faithlessness presents a vivid contrast. Abraham's total submission to God's will showed his heart and earned God's praise, while Cain's actions showed his heart and earned God's punishment.

Abraham’s obedience to God was certainly the focus of this dramatic event. Everything about the heavenly command seemed to fly in the face of Abraham’s expectations from the God whose call he had heard and obeyed decades earlier.

For instance, the order to offer Isaac suggested human sacrifice, which Abraham may have known from his pagan days in Ur. But it must have seemed a stunning demand from the true God.

The key to this test, however, was in Isaac and all that he represented to Abraham. God knew Abraham loved his son (v. 2), so we can assume he felt the anguish any father would feel at the thought of losing a dear son.

But Isaac was also the promised child Abraham had waited twenty-five years for. All of the patriarch’s hopes for the future rested in this boy, and for good reason. God had told Abraham, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned” (Gen. 21:12).

God’s command even emphasized the importance of Isaac’s place in His plan. He said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac” (v. 2). Isaac was not Abraham’s only physical son, but he was the only son in the line of God’s promise.

Abraham risked everything he hoped for when he tied up Isaac, laid him on the altar, and reached for the knife (vv. 9-10). At that moment Abraham passed God’s test, and God provided a substitute sacrifice--a picture of the sacrifice the future offspring, Jesus Christ, would make to crush Satan and provide salvation.

Allen Ross is right when he says that it’s harder to keep trusting God when we have the answer we’ve been waiting for.

Jacob knew all about tricks and deception. In today's reading, he lied and deceived. He took advantage of his father's old age. He played the “parental favorites game” to perfection, as his mother helped him trick Isaac. The deception was quite thorough: the food was cooked just so, he wore goatskins to simulate Esau's body hair and his brother's clothes for the smell, and he told multiple lies in answer to his father's suspicious questions. And what about Isaac? God had told Rebekah that Jacob was the chosen one, and surely she communicated that to Isaac. Yet he ignored God's words and would have given the blessing to Esau. All in all, it was a shameful episode for everyone involved.

Isaac's blessing was formal and sacred. He gave Jacob authority and abundance, and despite the deceit his words still carried legal and spiritual force (vv. 28-29). When Esau discovered Jacob had stolen the blessing from him, his bitterness and anger forced his brother to flee for his life.

Despite the covenant, everyone in this story had lost their sense of purpose. How? Perhaps by trying to “help” God fulfill His promise—was that what Rebekah thought she was doing? Perhaps by disregarding God altogether—Jacob's reference to “your God” (implying “not mine”) is a telling phrase (v. 20). No one in this chapter remembered God, appealed to Him, asked Him for guidance, or made any effort to obey Him. No wonder they had lost their purpose!

In light of the troubled family situation in today's reading, take a specific step to improve communication with your spouse or children. You may not be guilty of favoritism or deception, but perhaps there's another area in which you can take a step forward. Maybe it's discipline—do your kids know their boundaries? Or openness—do they know they can trust you? Or thankfulness—when's the last time you told your spouse what you most appreciate about him or her? Ask the Spirit to reveal a needed action, and then do it today.

The awe Dickens felt at Niagara Falls is akin to the awe Jacob felt at Bethel—the sense that the finger of God had touched this place. And for Jacob this touch came at the most unexpected of moments. After the events we studied yesterday, Esau was in a murderous rage. Jacob had to run for his life, leaving behind not only his brother but also a father who was probably still displeased and a mother to whose apron strings he appeared firmly tied. As he bedded down in the wilderness that night, it probably didn't feel like he had the birthright and blessing of Isaac and the Lord.

But that night, Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven. We picture a ladder or modern stairway, but probably he saw something like steps up the side of a ziggurat. Angels were going up and down the stairs, signaling God's presence and His interaction with human affairs (cf. John 1:51). God spoke to Jacob in the dream, renewing the covenant and promising to be his God in a personal sense also.

God got Jacob's attention, and that night his heart started to change . . . a little. His vow still sounded a bit like a bargain (vv. 20-22). Nonetheless, he was awestruck by what he had seen and comforted by God's promise in the midst of desperate circumstances. He set up a stone of remembrance, anointed it with oil, and renamed the place Bethel, or “house of God.”

Throughout the Old Testament we have examples of God's people setting up places of remembrance as a testimony of what God has done. Do you have a “stone of remembrance” for God's work in your life? In the crush of everyday pressures we can lose sight of how much God has done, and our faith can be refreshed from recalling specific acts of God's goodness. Your “stone” might be a spiritual journal, a particular artwork or display that you have as a visual reminder, or maybe a favorite hymn or musical CD that helps you remember God's faithfulness to you.

We have all known people like this--men and women whose lives seem to bless and lift everyone they touch. In a spiritual sense, this was also true of Abraham. His son Isaac, and his grandson Jacob, were the direct beneficiaries of Abraham’s legacy of faithfulness to God. And through these patriarchs, “all peoples on earth” have been blessed (v. 14).

It’s clear from Jacob’s well-known dream that he was heir to a wonderful blessing. Even though Jacob was on the run from Esau after cheating his older brother out of his blessing, Jacob was still God’s choice to carry forward the promise He made to Abraham. God reiterated this great promise to Jacob as he lay on his stone pillow at Bethel (vv. 13-14).

God’s intention was to be with Jacob as He had been with Jacob’s father and grandfather. The angels going up and down the stairway in Jacob’s dream symbolized God’s watchfulness and activity in his life. For all of Jacob’s deceitfulness, at least he showed an interest in God that Esau apparently lacked.

Jacob’s overnight stop in Bethel was an unforgettable, life-shaping experience for him. He made a vow to honor and serve God--but the rest of the story reveals that Jacob did not immediately reach great spiritual heights after Bethel. He was still Jacob, the con man at heart, until God wrestled him into submission and gave him a new name, Israel (Gen. 32:22-31).

We can act as a source of blessing to the people around us in the week ahead.

The stones they placed at one-mile intervals were large blocks of limestone, shipped from Great Britain and weighing between 300 and 600 pounds each. Today these stones are being searched out, catalogued, and restored.

Jacob and Laban set up stone boundary markers for a similar purpose. The game they had played in trying to take advantage of one another had gone sour, and Jacob had again run away, this time with family and goods.

This most recent spat revolved around another bargain about livestock, and thanks to God (not Jacob's superstitious actions) Jacob had gotten the better of it. His wealth had increased. But Laban's sons responded with coldness and jealousy, accusing Jacob of stealing or at least draining their inheritance. So he checked his wives' loyalty, waited until sheep-shearing time, and ran for it. There's evidence that Jacob had changed a little—this time, he acknowledged that God was responsible for his success (despite Laban's cheating), and cited an encouraging dream and promise from the Lord (vv. 5-13).

God protected Jacob by warning Laban during the pursuit (v. 24). He obeyed, putting a good face on it and pretending that all he wanted was a fond family farewell. Jacob, though, knew the real score. Once again we see his changed heart: “If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you” (v. 42). In the end, they negotiated a tense agreement not to harm one another, with a stone marker and God as witnesses between them.

Jacob spent a great deal of his life trusting in his own strength and cunning, and in fact he was pretty good at it. But God was trying to teach him to walk in faith and rely on His strength and wisdom. How about you? Have you been trusting in your own strength? If you're smart, talented, or successful, this can be a powerful temptation. But Scripture says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).

Just as Jacob and Paul spent intense times with God, we can bring our earnest requests and desires to the Lord. These times of prayer aren't just about getting what we want—Paul still had his “thorn”—but it is about pouring out our hearts to God and seeing how He shapes our lives and perspective.

Like Raul Corvalan, Joseph was a model of integrity. In Egypt, he was purchased as a slave by Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh's guard. God was with him and gave him success, and soon he was trusted so highly he was put in charge of all the household affairs. As a steward, he pursued excellence and integrity in his duties, and his work was blessed (as was Potiphar's house) by the Lord.

Joseph also showed integrity in the area of sexual purity. He resisted sexual advances from Potiphar's wife, not once but multiple times. He tried to reason with her, saying it would be a betrayal of his master, and more importantly, a sin against God (Genesis 39:9). He tried to avoid the appearance of evil, refusing even to be with her. And finally, when she tried to force him to come to bed with her, he broke loose and ran away. Spurned and angry, she gave up on sex and opted for revenge, using Joseph's cloak as evidence for her lie to her husband. This was the second time his cloak had told an untruth about him! Even if the other servants knew the truth, no one would have dared to contradict her. Potiphar may have been suspicious of the lie, though. Some laws allowed for the death penalty in rape cases, but instead of having his slave executed Potiphar merely sent Joseph to prison.

In prison, the pattern repeated. Joseph's faith and righteousness remained strong. God was with him, he did well, and soon he was trusted again with leadership and responsibility (Genesis 39:21-23).

As we did back on the 10th, today we recommend several verses to add to your “Scripture memory bank.” These are all on the theme of fighting against sexual temptation: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; Ephesians 5:3; and 1Thessalonians 4:3; 4:4; 4:5 (notes). You can choose which one to memorize, but it would be wonderful to choose all three and recite them to yourself often. Be like Joseph: “Flee from sexual immorality . . . not even a hint . . . honor God with your body.”

If you are struggling to forgive someone who has hurt you, meditate on this story of Joseph and his brothers. God does not excuse the sinful action of the brothers, but He still redeemed the situation to ensure the survival of His people. And He gave Joseph the ability to see His perspective and to forgive his brothers. Pray that the Holy Spirit will grant you His grace to forgive.

On the other hand, only 52 percent of people reported forgiving others, and just 43 percent said they’d actively sought forgiveness from others. It appears that we easily imagine receiving divine forgiveness but are more reluctant to take difficult, concrete steps toward reconciliation with other people.

Joseph had the courage to extend forgiveness to his brothers. Out of hatred and jealousy, they had almost murdered him, sold him into slavery instead, and deceived their father into thinking him dead. Because of them, he’d suffered exile and imprisonment.

The tables had turned, and in today’s reading, Joseph possessed the power to do as he wished to his brothers. He could have thrown them into prison or sent them home to starve. We can assume he was tempted toward revenge, but he overcame that temptation and received them with love. (He wasn’t naïve, however--he’d first tested their character.)

Despite their evil actions, Joseph forgave his brothers “from the heart,” as shown by his extreme emotion and invitation for the family to come live in the best land in Egypt. His forgiving love boggled his brothers’ minds. Their natural response would be revenge, so they assumed it would be his, which explains their terror (Genesis 45:1-3). Godly forgiveness is beyond worldly comprehension. In fact, for years, Joseph’s brothers remained suspicious that he was still out to get them (see Gen. 50:15-21).

Here’s a question similar to one asked several days ago: Do you need to forgive a family member? Or be forgiven by one? Sometimes, the closer a person is, the harder it is to let go of bitterness or overcome pride.

As we begin this new year, ask the Lord to reveal His purposes for you, and seek to incorporate these truths into your life.

In his own words: “The collapse of Andersen was a welcomed opportunity to reclaim portions of my life over which I’d lost control. . . . The Holy Spirit seemed to remind me that my wealth had little to do with markets or pension funds. It was in feeling loved and cared for by a heavenly Father who was in control of my life.”

Like Steve Stoner, Joseph trusted in God’s sovereign goodness, no matter what happened. He and Job make an encouraging pair-if they trusted God after all they went through, who are we to complain?

In today’s reading, Joseph’s brothers expected him to finally take revenge. They had intended to kill him, and eventually sold him into foreign slavery. Now that their father Jacob was dead, they were sure payback time had come and tried to protect themselves with a lie (vv. 15-17). It’s so deep in human nature to think and feel this way that they could hardly grasp Joseph’s response.

Joseph saw life through a totally different lens. In his experiences, he beheld God working to save lives (v. 20). He knew what his brothers had meant to do, but God’s purposes outweighed their jealous intentions. God’s plan, not theirs, governed Joseph’s faith and actions. And at the heart of it all was his ongoing trust in the promises God had given to Abraham.

Joseph trusted completely in the sovereign goodness of God. Do we?