PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Genesis 35-36
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“God… who has been with me wherever I have gone.” (Genesis 35:3)
If we look at Israel’s story, we encounter many sad or disturbing scenes.
If we look at the church’s story, we see the same things.
If we look at our own life stories, we will also see some of this.
But this is what GRACE is all about, and why I keep hanging on despite my failures.
What stands out in this story is God’s gracious purpose despite human weakness.
Yes we struggle, but not without hope; yes we fail, but not without mercy.
No matter where we go, or how far we go, God graciously sticks with us.
As Christians, we ought to be the most humble people in the world.
As Christians who have been graced beyond belief, we ought to be the most gracious of all.
As Jesus followers, we have been sent to the nations to make followers of Jesus.
A follower of Jesus is not a perfect or better person, but someone who admits their sin.
We are aware of our own weaknesses and imperfections, yet we have hope.
We have God-fidence, not self-confidence, because of God’s mercy and kindness to us.
This motivates us to show mercy to the nations, so they can join God’s royal family too.
PRAYER
Lord, these chapters remind me that even when we lose our way, you stick with us to help find our way back. This is my story too, my God-fidence!
Jacob is still living in fear depending too much on his own resources – yet God calls him as God is faithful to his promises. God wants Jacob to move on and Jacob realizes he has to leave the past behind – all the contamination – removes the rings and gods etc. and buries them at Shechem and then makes to move to Bethel – the place where he met God on his way to Haran. And now the surrounding people fear him and do not pursue him – God is protecting him. Jacob is learning. He now loses his favourite wife as she is giving birth to a son whom she wants to call Ben-Oni.[son of my trouble] but Jacob names him Benjamin instead [son of my right hand] – is Jacob now finally fully trusting God, leaving his troubles and fears behind him? God blesses him – yet there is still sin and trouble in the household i.e., Reuben sleeping with Bilhah – his Father’s concubine. Lord help me to trust in you and your ways and not mine – they get in the way at times!
God talked to him.
And God continues to talk to His people today if we but have the ears to listen and the eyes to see His presence in our lives.
In the description of the family lines, did I see that God was central in their lives? As part of His family I need to live for Jesus. Jesus Saviour pilot me as I commit each day to Your glory and live in Your presence. At all times people need to see You in my life – my pilgrim’s progress.
Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life’s tempestuous sea:
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rocks and treach’rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee–
Jesus, Savior, pilot me!