Read Genesis 29:1-14

Do What Needs To Be Done

When Jacob met the shepherds near the well, they were waiting for more to arrive so they could remove the stone from the mouth of the well to water their sheep. When Rachel arrived with Laban’s flock, there were still not enough men to move the stone. The very sight of Rachel, however, motivated Jacob to try it himself, and he succeeded. No doubt, God was with him and provided the strength he needed for the task, though Jacob did not acknowledge such.

Do you ever see things that need to be done, and wonder why no one is doing them? There will be times that more people may be needed, but sometimes the lack of activity is due to apathy. “We’re too small and weak” may be nothing more than an excuse. When we read the Scriptures and we see the love of God demonstrated through the death of Jesus (Romans 5:8), shouldn’t we be motivated to try harder?

There are many things to be done in the kingdom that do not require miraculous strength. When is the last time you sent a note to a Christian brother or sister to encourage them? How many neighbors have you invited to study the Bible with you? Have you offered to pick up groceries or prescriptions for an elderly couple? Or asked if you can bring them a homecooked meal? These are relatively small tasks in the grand scheme of things, but they can be extremely uplifting to the recipients of such kindness.

Here’s the point: if you see something that needs to be done, don’t wonder why someone isn’t doing it. Do it yourself! Encourage others to help you if needed, but don’t let someone else’s apathy hold you back.

In addition, though, acknowledge God’s part in whatever you accomplish. This was a failure on Jacob’s part. Even after the heavenly vision at the end of Genesis 28, Jacob still relied on himself more than God.

We can learn all sorts of lessons from people of faith. They serve as good examples many times, but occasionally we can learn from their shortcomings and resolve not to repeat those mistakes in our own lives.

Read Genesis 28:10-22

Jacob’s Ladder

Jacob deceived his father and received the blessing that Isaac intended to give his brother Esau. Moses records, “So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, ‘The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob’” (Genesis 27:41). The twins’ mother is understandably concerned and sends Jacob away to her brother’s house until Esau cools down.

On his journey, Jacob stops to rest and has a vision. “Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:12). Is it not fascinating how God works in the lives of His creation, and we are entirely unaware of the specifics of it? These angels were presumably departing heaven to do the will of God, then returning when their tasks were completed. God was giving Jacob a glimpse into His providence and provision.

God repeated to Jacob the vow that He had made with Abraham and Isaac. The land would be given to Jacob’s descendants, and through his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed. But God adds a little extra to ease the more immediate troubles in Jacob’s mind. This man was on the run from his brother who wanted to kill him. He left his home, his family, and everything he knew. God told Jacob, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you” (Genesis 28:15).

God cared about Jacob and told him that He would bring him back home to see his family again. Even though he had done nothing to deserve such love (and who among us has?), Jacob was comforted by Jehovah. He was a swindler and a deceiver, but God had something better in store for Jacob.

We have all done things in our past that we regret. We have all sinned. But God has something better in store for us. He is working in our lives and putting people in place to help us grow closer to Him. Are you listening? Are you verifying the words you hear from others with the Word of God? Are you growing closer to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?

Read Genesis 26:17-22

“The Lord Has Made Room For Us”

No one likes to be mistreated. Sometimes, however, it is better to pick up and move on rather than stand your ground and fight over trivial matters. Isaac’s servants dug a well in the valley over which a dispute arose; the herdsmen of Gerar claimed ownership of that well. Rather than go to war over it, Isaac’s servants dug another well. The same thing happened. A third time, the servants dug a well, but this time there was no dispute. God took care of His servant; Isaac named the well Rehoboth and said, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land” (Genesis 26:22).

The first two disputes may have happened because that is not where God wanted Isaac. God, through providence, uses the situations of this life to put people where He can use them in His service. Queen Esther rose to a position of power, perhaps so she could exert some influence over her husband on behalf of her people. In the first century, when Onesimus left his master Philemon and came to Paul, the apostle pointed to the possibility of providence at work. “For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord” (Philemon 15-16).

We do not always see the providence of God while it is happening. Isaac may have really struggled with the quarrels over the wells. He may have felt discouraged or perhaps angry. But he had faith in the Lord to take care of him, just as He took care of him on Mount Moriah when he was bound and laid on the altar. Isaac believed in God’s provision and in God’s providence, and instead of fighting over material possessions, he picked up and moved on until he was where God wanted him to be.

It hurts when we are mistreated, but we must remember that the Lord can use even our pain to further His cause, though we may not understand it fully at the time. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who loved God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). If you love God and are a part of His family in Christ, He will take care of you; He will make room for you, and you can be fruitful.

Read Genesis 23

Respect

Have you ever enjoyed a meal at a restaurant with someone, and when the check comes, a friendly “argument” ensues over who will pay? You certainly do not want your friend to pay for your meal, rather insisting that you pay for his. It is a sign of respect to offer to pay for each other’s food. We see a similar situation play out in Genesis 23, as Abraham requests a burial place for his wife Sarah when she died.

The sons of Heth offer Abraham “the choicest of our burial places” (Genesis 23:6). Abraham requests the cave of Machpelah, which belongs to Ephron, and insists on paying the full price. Ephron and Abraham go back and forth a bit, Ephron insisting that Abraham take the land, and Abraham insisting on paying for it. In the end, Abraham gives Ephron 400 shekels of silver and buries Sarah “in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan” (Genesis 23:19).

Why was Abraham, who described himself as “a foreigner and a visitor among you” (Genesis 23:4), treated with such respect? No doubt his character had been on display before these men for many years. They told him that he was “a mighty prince among us” (Genesis 23:6). He was treated with respect because he treated them with respect. He did not expect special treatment; he did not feel entitled to anything. He did not demand that they change their customs to accommodate him. Rather, he attempted to live at peace with them.

Is that not how we should treat our fellow man today? The apostle Paul wrote, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). Our character, which defines how we conduct ourselves, should demand respect of all who are around us—even non-Christians. In fact, elders in the church “must have a good testimony among those who are outside” (1 Timothy 3:7). A person who has put on Christ in baptism must live lives of integrity.

Will you always receive the respect you deserve as a moral person attempting to live according to God’s Word? No, but another person’s action does not change what the Word says. We must give as much respect to others as we can muster; we must be at peace “as much as depends on you” (Romans 12:18).

Read Genesis 18:16-19:29

Pleading for Mercy for Others

It has been said that grace is receiving something good that one does not deserve, while mercy is not receiving something bad that one does deserve. In God’s dealings with man, we see both grace and mercy on display throughout the Scriptures and in our own lives.

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a well-known event to those who are avid Bible readers. What was wrong with Sodom and Gomorrah. In general terms, the Lord says that “their sin is very grave” (Genesis 18:20). In specific terms, homosexuality had become the norm for them. The men of Sodom surrounded the house of Lot and demanded that the men (who were actually angels) be brought out because they wanted to “know them carnally” (Genesis 19:5).

Despite the depravity of these men, Abraham pleaded for mercy in Genesis 18. He bargained with the Lord and asked, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Supposed there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?” (Genesis 18:23-24). God agrees, and Abraham lowers the number from fifty to forty-five, then to forty, thirty, twenty, all the way down to ten. God tells Abraham, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten” (Genesis 18:32), but not even ten were found.

Yet, because of the mercy of God, Lot and his family were given the opportunity to escape the destruction. Lot and his two daughters took advantage of this opportunity; his sons-in-law thought he was joking when he urged them to come with him, and his wife looked back while fleeing and was destroyed. Yet Lot was able to escape because of the faithfulness and intercession of Abraham.

Will God extend mercy to your loved ones because of your faithfulness? Will they receive opportunities to turn to Him because of the example that you set? Are you interceding with God on their behalf, asking that they may come to the knowledge of the truth? Are you seeking opportunities to share that truth with them yourself?

His mercy is great, but He will not violate His will. Destruction will come to the impenitent sinner. Please with Him while they are here, and plead with them to submit to His will.